Former Supreme Court judge Justice AM Khanwilkar is likely to be appointed the next Lokpal of India. The anti-corruption body has been without a full-time chairperson since May 2022. According to sources, the high-level committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and the leader of the largest opposition party, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, approved Justice Khanwilkars appointment on Wednesday. About AM Khanwilkar AM Khanwilkar retired on July 29, 2002, delivered several important judgments during his tenure at the Supreme Court. He also headed the benches that upheld almost all the stringest provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and dismissed a petion against the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Furthermore, Justice Khanwilkar also led the bench that cleared the way for the construction of the Central Vista and the new Parliament House by dismissing the petitions filed by social activists and environmentalists. As the news of Justice Khanwilkars potential appointment as the next Lokpal circulates, his past judgments continue to be scrutinized for their impact on legal and political landscapes. The Lokpal, a key anti-corruption ombudsman position, holds significant importance in overseeing and addressing corruption allegations public officials in India. Meanwhile, the Lokpal is currently headed by justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, who is the acting chairperson. Of the two VC posts, one is vacant.
