Lokpal disposes of complaint against ex-CJI Chandrachud

New Delhi: The anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal has disposed of a complaint alleging corruption against former CJI DY Chandrachud for being “barred by jurisdiction”, according to an official order.

A complaint was filed on October 18, 2024, “against the sitting Chief Justice of India (CJI) as on that date, for alleged abuse of office, amounting to corruption and malicious exercise of power to favour and protect a certain politician and political party”, it said.

CJI Chandrachud demitted office on November 10.

The Lokpal, in its order, examined in detail if a sitting CJI or a Supreme Court judge was amenable to its jurisdiction under Section 14 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act and decided to “eschew from dilating upon the diverse allegations contained in this complaint running into 382 pages”.

“We say no more,” according to the order dated January 3. “In light of the above, we dispose of this complaint as being barred by jurisdiction,” said the order by Lokpal chairperson Justice AM Khanwilkar and five other members.

The order said the complainant was free to pursue other remedies, as permissible in law.

“We may not be understood to have expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations, one way or the other including about the maintainability of the legal remedies to be resorted to by the complainant,” it added.

The Lokpal examined different provisions under Section 14 -- “jurisdiction of Lokpal to include Prime Minister, ministers, members of Parliament, groups A, B, C and D officers and officials of Central government” -- of the Act.