The Supreme Court on Wednesday scheduled a July hearing to consider the legality of a Lokpal order involving complaints against a sitting high court judge. A special bench led by Justice B.R. Gavai, along with Justices Surya Kant and Abhay S. Oka, noted the matter must be referred to another bench, with Justice Oka emphasizing the issue’s propriety and the need for the Chief Justice’s direction.

The case stems from the Lokpal’s January 27 order concerning two complaints alleging that a sitting additional high court judge improperly influenced a subordinate judge and another high court judge in a case involving a private company—previously the judge's client during his time as an advocate.

On February 20, the apex court stayed the Lokpal’s order, calling it “very, very disturbing” due to its implications for judicial independence. It issued notices to the Centre, Lokpal, and the complainant, and appointed senior advocate Ranjit Kumar as amicus curiae.

The Centre’s Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that high court judges are outside the Lokpal Act’s jurisdiction. However, the Lokpal, led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, held that high court judges fall under Section 14 of the 2013 Act, though it clarified it had not assessed the complaints’ merits.