Decision to amend Lokpal Act for appointment of CBI director deferred

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Monday deferred a decision on its proposal to amend the Lokpal Act to allow leader of the single largest opposition party in Lok Sabha to be on the three-member panel to select the CBI director. This has been necessitated as there is no recognized leader of opposition in the current Lok Sabha.
As per the new selection process for CBI director laid down by the Lokpal Act (through amendments made to the Delhi Police Special Establishment Act), he must be selected by a panel comprising the Prime Minister, LoP and Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge to be appointed by the CJI.The proposed amendment seeks to add an explanation to the part in the Lokpal Act dealing with amendments to the DPSE relating to appointment of CBI director, stating that where there is no recognized LoP, the leader of the single largest party in the opposition may be part of the selection panel.
Congress, with 44 MPs in the Lok Sabha, is the largest opposition party in the House. However, this number being less than one-tenth of total strength of the Lok Sabha, the Speaker has ruled it ineligible to claim stake to post of LoP. Mallikarjun Kharge is the Congress leader in the Lok Sabha.
Sources indicated that further discussion will take place on the proposal ahead of winter session of Parliament. The amendments are likely to be moved during the session.
CBI director Ranjit Sinha's tenure ends on December 2. The decision to give the leader of the single largest opposition in the Lok Sabha a say in appointment of CBI director is based on the opinion given by the law ministry which said it would technically not be possible to appoint a CBI chief unless leader of the opposition was present on the panel.