Having stormed to power on the back of a massive anti-graft movement, the AAP government, on Monday, presented the Janlokpal Bill in the Assembly which will empower the proposed ombudsman to act against any public servant in the national capital, including those of the Centre, a move that may spark a fresh face-off between the two.
The bill has proposed harsh punishment for proven charges of corruption including rigorous imprisonment ranging between six months and ten years and, in rarest of rare cases, life imprisonment and fine. The higher the rank of the errant public servant, the greater will be the punishment.
Under the bill, a Lokpal will have powers to probe even acts of corruption against Union Ministers and central government officials, a contentious provision which may trigger another round of confrontation between the Kejriwal government and the Centre.
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