A Chennai-based advocate has moved the Madras High Court against the lack of representation for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and women in the Joint Drafting Committee that is preparing the Lokpal Bill.
When the writ petition, filed in public interest, came up before the vacation Bench, comprising Justices S. Rajeswaran and K.B.K. Vasuki, the Additional Solicitor General took notice on behalf of the Union government.
As another writ petition has already been filed on the composition of the Drafting Committee, the Bench said the latest petition could be posted along with the earlier one. Hearing was adjourned to June 9.
Representation sought
In his petition, M. Palanimuthu, an advocate, stated that meetings of the drafting committee would be meaningless unless there was representation for women, Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
He had sent a representation to the Centre on Tuesday seeking reconstitution of the panel. He sought a direction to the Union government to take appropriate action on his representation and give due representation to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women.
