Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India,…
Consider the following statements about Lokpal: I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India. II. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a Member of the Parliament or a Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory, and only the Chief Justice of India, whether incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson. III. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a person of less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office as the Chairperson or Member, as the case may be. IV. Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
III only
II and III
I and IV
None of the above statements is correct
Solution
Lokpal applies even to officials posted outside India — I wrong. The Chairperson can be a current/former CJI OR a Judge of the Supreme Court OR an eminent person — II wrong. Minimum age is 45 — statement III, though factually right, is contradicted in combination. Lokpal CAN inquire into a sitting PM (subject to safeguards) — IV wrong. Insights IAS marks the answer as D. [Sources disagree: Insights IAS — D; Prepp — A. Flagged as provisional.]