Protect whistle-blowers against higher judiciary: Par Panel

New Delhi, Aug 10 (PTI) Amid a clamour for inclusion of
higher judiciary in the ambit of Lokpal Bill, a Parliamentary
panel has recommended that a proposed legislation should
provide protection to whistle-blowers against judges of higher
courts besides ministers.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice
and Personnel, in its report tabled in Lok Sabha(Lower House
of Indian Parliament) Wednesday, also recommended that armed
forces and security and intelligence agencies should also be
under the ambit of the Public Interest Disclosure and
Protection to Persons Making the Disclosures Bill, 2010.
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August, 2010
and is popularly called the whistle-blowers' protection bill.
The Standing Committee's report has already been handed
over to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha(Upper House of
Parliament) in June.
"The Committee takes note of the grave concerns raised
regarding the exception created in relation to the defence/
intelligence forces.
In the committee's views, the (Personnel) Ministry has
not furnished cogent reasons for excluding such agencies/
forces from the ambit of the bill.
Since this bill is ultimately aimed at tackling
corruption, "the committee does not find any logical reason
behind such an exemption," the report said.
In its report, the panel has suggested that the Ministry
of Personnel should consider bringing the members of the
Council of Ministers, the judiciary, including the higher
judiciary and regulatory authorities within the ambit of the
bill by making necessary amendments.
The Committee has also recommended that a foolproof
mechanism be envisaged to ensure that the identity of the
complainant is not compromised with.