Why Supreme Court adjourned suo motu case over controversial Lokpal ruling

The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the case concerning whether Lokpal can entertain complaints against High Court judges under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 till July..A Bench of Justices BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Abhay S Oka noted that the matter should be heard by a Bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI). CJI Sanjiv Khanna is slated to retire from office on May 13. The Bench today decided to list the case in July, by when Justice Gavai would have taken over as the next CJI."See the operative part of the directions ... (the case has) to go before a CJI led bench ... It is a matter of propriety," Justice Oka observed today. "List this in July 2025," the Court proceeded to order. .In February this year, the Court had initiated a suo motu case after the Lokpal ruled that it can entertain complaints against High Court judges under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.The Court stayed the controversial Lokpal order as well, opining that it was "very disturbing" and could affect the independence of the judiciary. It further sought the response of the Union of India and the registrar of Lokpal in the matter and also appointed Senior Advocate and former Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar as an Amicus Curiae to assist it..The Lokpal had given the controversial finding on January 27 while dealing with two complaints against a High Court judge, accusing him of influencing an Additional District Judge and another High Court judge in a suit.The Lokpal's full Bench headed by retired Supreme Court Justice AM Khanwilkar ruled that a High Court judge meets the definition of 'public servant' and that the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 does not exclude the judges..However, Lokpal also decided to first approach the Chief Justice of India (CJI) for guidance on the issue and accordingly deferred further action on the complaints.The Lokpal further redacted the name of the judge and the High Court before making its decision public. The Supreme Court then initiated a suo motu case against the ruling..[Read Live Coverage]