India, Feb. 20 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday suspended the Lokpal's January 27 order, which had held that India's anti-corruption ombudsman could probe complaints against high court judges, calling the Lokpal's interpretation of its jurisdiction "very disturbing".

A special bench, comprising justices Bhushan R Gavai, Surya Kant and Abhay S Oka, expressed a prima facie view that high court judges would not come under the purview of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, since their appointment is governed by the Constitution and that they are not like any other "public servant" functioning in an organisation established by a parliamentary law.

Issuing notices to the Union government and the office of the Lokpal, the bench also restraine...