Jan Lokpal Bill

In India, the Jan Lokpal Bill also referred to as the citizens' ombudsman bill is a draft anti-corruption law that would create an ombudsman called the Jan Lokpal; this would be an independent body similar to the Election Commission with the power to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats without prior government permission.

Collaboratively drafted by Shanti Bhushan, retired Indian Police Service officer Kiran Bedi [citation required - not member of official committee], Justice N. Santosh Hegde, advocate Prashant Bhushan, former chief election commissioner J. M. Lyngdoh in wide public consultation with the leaders of the India Against Corruption movement and civil society. The original bill was mooted by NCPRI in its delegated committee [citation required]. The bill proposes the institution of the office of Lokpal (Ombudsman) at the center and local Lokayukta at the state level.

Finally accepted and under consideration bill draft version is 2.3 - redrafted with inclusion of format, flow and formal structure with table of contents with removal of drafting flaws/errors by Ramarao Velury as per Govt of India Lokpal website.

The bill is designed to create an effective anti-corruption and grievance redressal system that effectively deters corruption while providing effective protection to whistleblowers.

For 42 years, the government-drafted bill has failed to pass through the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India. The first Lokpal Bill was passed in the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969 but stalled in the Rajya Sabha. Subsequent Lokpal bills were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and 2008 but all failed to pass. Following the four day Anna Hazare fasting struggle, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated that the Lokpal Bill would be introduced in the 2011 monsoon session of parliament.

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