The jan lokpal bill (Citizen's ombudsman Bill) is a draft anti-corruption bill drawn up by prominent civil society activists seeking the appointment of a Jan Lokpal, an independent body  that would investigate corruption cases, complete the investigation within a year and envisages trial in the case getting over in the next one year. Drafted by Justice Santosh Hegde (former Supreme Court Judge and present Lokayukta of Karnataka), Prashant Bhushan (Supreme Court...

Though civil society has rejected the official Lokpal Bill with almost one voice, the confabulations in the run-up to Anna Hazare's hunger strike have brought out differences within activists on the alternative jan lokpal bill. The differences had come to light at the two meetings held on April 3 and 4 to examine the provisions of the jan lokpal bill espoused by Hazare, who began his fast unto death on April...

In two hundred cities across India on Tuesday, thousands of college students, young executives and housewives joined a campaign that asks the government to enact an important new law to fight corruption. At the centre of the movement is respected social activist Anna Hazare who has begun a hunger strike that he says will not end till the government proves its commitment to the jan lokpal bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill). What...

Collaborative effort to ensure a corruption-free India ‘Lokpal will be an independent entity' ‘Appointment through a selection panel' With veteran campaigner against corruption Anna Hazare's fast unto death at Jantar Mantar here entering its second day on Wednesday , the focus has shifted to the jan lokpal bill that was drafted last year as a collaborative effort by civic society to ensure a corruption-free India. The Bill was first drafted by retired Supreme Court...

Sometimes a sense of unbridled virtue can also subvert democracy. The agitation by civil society activists over the jan lokpal bill is a reminder of this uncomfortable truth. There is a great deal of justified consternation over corruption. The obduracy of the political leadership is testing the patience of citizens. But the movement behind the jan lokpal bill is crossing the lines of reasonableness. It is premised on an institutional...