In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 and directed its enforcement despite the absence of a recognized Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The petitioners sought to block the Act's implementation, claiming certain Rules were ultra vires and that pending legislative amendments made implementation unworkable. The Court held that the Act, as written, is fully workable: a truncated Selection Committee (Prime Minister, Speaker, Chief Justice, and an eminent jurist) can lawfully constitute a Search Committee and proceed with appointments because Section 4(2) explicitly permits operations despite vacancies. The Court refused to read down the statute or block enforcement, citing respect for separation of powers and the principle that duly enacted laws must be given effect to. Pending amendments do not justify suspension of the law's operation.
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