The Top Court on Tuesday refused to interfere on the plea of NGO Common Cause against Nageswara Rao‘s appointment as interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Petition filed by the Delhi based NGO Common Cause through Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan has also sought transparency in the process of short-listing, selection & appointment of CBI Director.
Supreme Court refuses to interfere on the plea of NGO Common Cause against Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) & has sought transparency in the process of short-listing, selection&appointment of CBI Director. pic.twitter.com/qn4jg5vaRQ
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019
A Two Judge Bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Vineet Saran said no further interference is required as the relief has already been granted with the appointment of a full-time CBI Director.
READ: SC holds Former CBI Interim Chief Nageshwar Rao guilty of Contempt Of Court; fines ₹1 Lakh
Nageswara Rao took over for the second time after the selection committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Jan 10 decided to remove Alok Verma and transfer him as DG Fire Services. He was made the CBI interim Boss until further orders.
However, Selection Panel headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed Rishi Kumar Shukla as the full-time CBI Chief on Feb 4.
The NGO in its petition has sought specific mechanisms to ensure transparency in the process of appointing the CBI director. It has alleged that Rao’s appointment was not made on the basis of recommendations of the high-powered selection committee.
According to the plea, the October 23 order appointing Rao interim CBI director was quashed by the top court on January 8 but the government “acted in a completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner” to appoint him again in “complete contravention” of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
However, the hearing in the Case was delayed time and again as Judges in the Case opted out citing different reasons.
ALSO READ:
- Justice NV Ramana becomes the third judge to opt out from hearing plea challenging the appointment of CBI interim chief
- High Powered Panel picks Rishi Kumar Shukla, Former DG Police of MP, as new CBI Director
- Disgruntled BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha hails PM Modi for Patna Metro Rail, Other Developmental Projects