Govt. has no authority to shortlist people for CVC's appointment: Prashant Bhushan

Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan on Wednesday said the government has no authority to shortlist people for the appointment of Central Vigilance Commissioner under the CVC Act.

"The Attorney General, on behalf of the Government, came to court saying that the government has shortlisted ten people and that their names will be sent to the selection committee. I pointed out that the government has no authority under the CVC Act to shortlist and restrict the selection of some shortlisted names," said Bhushan.

"The court has removed the interim order and allowed the government to go ahead with the selection, but it has also made it clear that the issues raised in the petition regarding transparency etc., would be kept open," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had lifted the five-month-old stay on appointment of the central vigilance commissioner and vigilance commissioner.

The Centre said that it had received over 135 applications for the post of CVC and added that the list of names was now ready to be placed before the committee comprising of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and Leader of Opposition.

Although, the apex court has allowed the government to appoint CVC and VCs in accordance with CVC Act, it has directed the government to submit the entire record of the appointment process to the court in July.