The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday issued notice to the Punjab government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging its failure to appoint a Lokpal for over six months.

A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry directed the counsel for Punjab to seek specific instructions on the timeline for filling the vacancy, which has rendered the state’s anti-corruption statutory body non-functional.

The petition, filed by advocate Vishal Mehta, and argued by advocate Mayank Mathur, states that the office of the Lokpal has been lying vacant since October 8, 2025, following the retirement of the previous incumbent. It contends that despite public assurances from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in October 2025 that the appointment would be made expeditiously, no effective steps have been taken by the State.

Advocate Mathur argued that “prolonged inaction” by the authorities has created a “complete vacuum” in Punjab’s anti-corruption framework. The PIL adds that this assumes significance as the current administration had earlier abolished the State Vigilance Commission, reportedly on the assurance that the Lokpal would be strengthened as the primary anti-corruption mechanism.

The PIL argues that the absence of a functional Lokpal violates citizens’ fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. It points to the Aam Aadmi Party’s election manifesto, which promised a strong “Jan Lokpal” framework and greater autonomy for anti-corruption institutions.

Advocate Mathur pointed out how the previous AAP government in Delhi too had appointed a Lokpal after two years.

The PIL further submits that the absence of an ombudsman leaves citizens without an independent forum to address grievances involving high-ranking public functionaries, particularly amid allegations of irregularities in public contracts and illegal mining. The plea also notes that unlike the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996, lacks a mandatory mechanism to initiate the appointment process in advance of a vacancy.

“The institution of Lokpal is a crucial statutory and constitutional safeguard… designed to provide an independent forum for redressal of complaints against corruption at the highest levels of governance,” the petition states.

The petitioner has sought a writ of mandamus directing the State to complete the appointment process within four weeks. It also urged the court to direct the state to amend the Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996, or frame rules to ensure that the process for appointing a successor is initiated well in advance to prevent such vacancies in future.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 7.