CBI appointment row: SC issues notice to Centre seeking explanation

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Centre over the appointment of Rakesh Asthana the interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), seeking a detailed explanation over the development.

The Centre has been instructed to give an explanation on December 15th before the apex court.

The petition which was filed in the Supreme Court by the registered society - Common Cause - seeking a direction from it that the Central government has acted in a mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner to ensure the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as the interim Director, of the premiere investigating agency, CBI.

The plea sought the quashing of the appointment of Asthana as interim Director, of the CBI and a direction to the Central government to initiate the process for the appointment of regular director of the premier investigating agency as per the law.

The Central government today while responding to the petition of Common Cause, told the Apex court bench that it had sent letters to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Tirath Singh Thakur and the leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha to convene a meeting to select the appointment of the Director of the premiere investigating agency, CBI.

The petition moved by the society - Common Cause - has contended that the government has acted in a mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner to ensure the appointment of Asthana as interim director, CBI.

Telling the court that Asthana had headed the SIT that had probed Godhra train burning case and held several important positions in Gujarat police, Common Cause has said, "the Government took a series of steps in a completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner to ensure that Asthana ... was given the charge of CBI Director".

The petition pointed out that it was for the first time in one decade that an interim director was thrust on the investigating agency. It said that the process for the appointment of Ranjit Sinha's successor should have commenced well in advance.