State Of Punjab vs Lal Singh And Ors

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that the appointment of Mr. Justice Harbans Singh Rai as Lokpal was ultra vires Section 4(1) of the Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996, as it did not comply with the statutory requirements for appointment. The Court noted that the term of the Lokpal would have expired in 2001, rendering the matter infructuous. Consequently, the appeals and special leave petitions were disposed of, allowing the State to make a fresh appointment in accordance with the Act.