BeyondHeadlines News Desk
New Delhi: Assets accumulated by public servants will be seized and liquidated, if the proposed Jan Lok Pal bill has its way.
Anti-graft activists often complain that jail threat hardly works as deterrent because of slow and lousy trail process. The drafting committee, comprising of civil rights activists and government representatives agreed on Monday that assets obtained through corrupt means will be confiscated.
- Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle
On receiving complains the Lok Pal will have the power to order “interdiction” to prevent any transfer of assets till the investigation is on. If the person is found guilty the court will decide the quantum of loss to the exchequer and guilty will have to make good of that loss.
According to media reports, the government has agreed in principle, but its modalities will be worked out soon.
The committee has also agreed that any undeclared asset will be considered as obtained through corrupt means.
Lok Pal will also have the power to verify the assets of elected representatives. However, whether Prime Minister office and judiciary will come under its purview has not been discussed yet.
The drafting committee will now meet more frequently –at least once a week.
Eminent lawyer Prashan Bhushan later told media, “The basic idea is to have an empowered Lokpal, which will have full autonomy, independence from the government and which will have powers to investigate complaints of corruption, prosecute all public servants. This principle is non-negotiable.”
