An independent panel of retired judges will be formed to function as the ‘ombudsman' for the Core Committee of India Against Corruption.
Talking to The Hindu here on Monday, Core Committee member Prashant Bhushan said he would soon speak to a few retired judges to form the three-member panel. This decision was taken at a Core Committee meeting, attended by social activist Anna Hazare at Ralegan Siddhi, in September.
The ombudsman would look into allegations — “not frivolous and baseless ones”— made against the Core Committee members. “This has been done to maintain transparency.”
The 24-member committee is slated to be expanded.
Asked about Mr. Hazare's decision to take an anti-Congress stand in his campaigns if the Bill to establish a Lokpal was not passed in the winter session of Parliament, Mr. Bhushan maintained that Team Anna was not against any party but would “name” parties that opposed the Bill.
At Ralegan Siddhi, Mr. Hazare declared that he and his team would not be “cowed down” by anyone and challenged the government to show evidence of misconduct or irregularities on the part of his team members.