Which of the following statements about the Ethics Committee in the Lok Sabha are correct?

1. Initially it was an ad-hoc Committee.

2. Only a Member of the Lok Sabha can make a complaint relating to unethical conduct of a member of the Lok Sabha.

3. This Committee cannot take up any matter which is sub-judice.

Select the answer using the code given below.

The correct option is 1 and 3 only.

Let us analyze each statement step-by-step to understand why this is the correct answer:

Statement 1 is correct: Initially, the Ethics Committee in the Lok Sabha was constituted as an ad-hoc (temporary) committee. It was first constituted by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha on May 16, 2000. It later became a permanent standing committee of the House in 2015 after recommendations by the Rules Committee of the Lok Sabha.

Statement 2 is incorrect: A complaint relating to the unethical conduct of a member of the Lok Sabha can be made by another member of the Lok Sabha. However, any other person (who is not a member) can also make a complaint, provided it is forwarded by a member of the Lok Sabha. The only requirement is that the complaint must be filed in a prescribed format, supported by an affidavit, and forwarded by a member of the Lok Sabha. Therefore, it is not restricted only to a Member of the Lok Sabha directly.

Statement 3 is correct: The Ethics Committee cannot take up or investigate any matter that is sub-judice (currently under consideration or trial by a court of law). This is in line with parliamentary conventions to avoid interference with judicial proceedings.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect, making "1 and 3 only" the correct option.