Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Supreme Court Judge Justice NV Ramana recuses from hearing a plea of NGO Common Cause against M Nageswara Rao’s appointment as interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and has sought transparency in the process of short-listing, selection and appointment of the CBI Director, reported ANI.

Justice NV Ramana became the third Judge to opt out from the hearing. Earlier, On January 24, Justice Sikri had opted out of the hearing in the plea filed by the NGO, Common Cause. When Justice Sikri sought to recuse, Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for petitioner Common Cause, objected. Dave said that CJI Ranjan Gogoi had also recused from the case earlier and an impression was being created that the Supreme Court does not want to hear the matter.

Earlier on January 21, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi recused himself from hearing a plea challenging M Nageswara Rao’s appointment as interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Chief Justice said he was recusing himself from the hearing because he is a member of the high-powered selection committee that will pick a successor to Alok Verma, who was removed as CBI director months after he was sent on leave and replaced by Nageswara Rao. Meeting of PM headed panel to appoint new CBI Chief remains ‘inconclusive’; to meet again

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.

Delhi-based NGO Common Cause on January 14 approached the Supreme Court (SC) challenging the appointment of M Nageswara Rao as interim chief of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The NGO has approached the apex court through senior advocate Prashant Bhushan.

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.

By talharashid

Part-time Traveler| Full-time Political Enthusiast | Foodie | Strong Believer of Freedom of Speech and Expressions!

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