On Thursday, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna highlighted the necessity for the Lokpal to work in tandem with other anti-corruption agencies to effectively combat corruption. Speaking at an event commemorating Lokpal Day, CJI Khanna stressed that the establishment of Lokpal alone is insufficient to eradicate corruption and underscored the importance of collaboration with bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
CJI Khanna remarked, “Mere establishment of Lokpal does not solve the problem of corruption. For Lokpal to attain its full potential, it must coordinate seamlessly with bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission and other agencies.” He noted that smooth collaboration between these bodies is crucial for guiding investigations and that the success of Lokpal will largely depend on public trust and the active participation of citizens committed to rooting out corruption.
The Chief Justice also pointed out that corruption is pervasive, affecting not only high-profile cases but also the everyday lives of the socially and economically disadvantaged. He emphasized the need for competent individuals to operate the institutions created to fight corruption, much like the Constitution requires.
On the same occasion, Lokpal chairperson and former Supreme Court judge Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar discussed the integration of state-of-the-art technology and systems to boost the efficiency and effectiveness of the anti-corruption processes. “We are open to exploring the feasibility of artificial intelligence applications. These tools will facilitate more efficient data management and analysis, expediting our enquiries into allegations of misconduct,” Khanwilkar explained.
He further highlighted the anti-corruption body’s focus on recruiting personnel with specialized expertise in areas such as forensic and cyber investigations to tackle the increasingly sophisticated nature of corruption.
Khanwilkar also mentioned the priority given to fostering increased collaboration with other anti-corruption bureaus, including the CBI and CVC, and the judiciary to create a unified front against corruption.
Attorney General R Venkatramani, who also spoke at the event, shared his experiences in combatting corruption and expressed gratitude towards Justice Khanwilkar for his efforts in promoting anti-corruption measures.
