21. Power of Lokpal to try certain offences summarily.
(1)If at any stage of proceeding before the Lokpal, it appears to the Lokpal that any person appearing in such proceedings and knowingly or wilfully has given false evidence or had fabricated false evidence with the intention that such evidence shall be used in such proceedings, the Lokpal may, if satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the interest of justice that the person should be tried summarily for giving or fabricating, as the case may be, false evidence, take cognizance of the offence and may after giving the offender a reasonable opportunity of showing cause and adducing evidence as to why he should not be punished for such offence, try such offender summarily, so far as may be, in accordance with the procedure specified for summary trials under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and sentence him to imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or to fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.(2)When any offence as is described in section 175, sections 178, 179 or section 180 of the Indian Penal Code is committed in the view or presence of the Lokpal, the Lokpal may cause the offender to be detained in custody and may, at any time on the same day, take cognizance of the offence and after giving the offender a reasonable opportunity of showing cause and adducing evidence as to why he should not be punished under this section sentence the offender to simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to fortnight or a fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.(3)In every case tried under this section, the Lokpal shall record the facts constituting the offence with the statement (if any) made by the offender as well as the finding and the sentence.(4)Any person convicted on a trial held under this section may appeal to the High Court and the provisions of Chapter XXIX of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 shall, so far as may apply to appeals under this section and the High Court may alter or reverse the finding, or reduce or reverse the sentence appealed against. The Lokpal shall after pronouncing the punishment suspend its commencement for a period of mone month enable the aggrieved party to approach the High Court in an appeal and a copy of the order shall be furnished free of cost to a person who has been convicted under sections 20 and 21 of the Act.(5)The provisions of this section shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
