SC to hear plea against Asthana's appointment on Nov 13

The Supreme Court on November 13 will hear a plea seeking quashing of the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as a special director of the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation).

Last Thursday, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)- Common Cause- filed the petition in the apex court and demanded to quash the appointment of Asthana.

The NGO said government's decision to appoint Asthana was "illegal" and "arbitrary".

The NGO claimed that the CBI was probing a matter in which the 56-year-old's name had appeared and demanded quashing of his appointment. It also urged the court to direct the government to produce the entire record relating to Asthana's selection and appointment as CBI Special Director.

On October 26, Central Vigilance Commissioner K. V. Chowdary said a committee headed by him unanimously cleared the elevation of Asthana as CBI special director.

According to Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (DSPE), the CVC-led committee recommends the names of officers for the appointment and extension of their term and following which the CBI director should be consulted by the committee before making any recommendation.

Asthana was earlier an IPS officer in Gujarat and has played important roles in his career and has been given important posts like the Special Investigation Team, which probed the Godhra Train Massacre in the year 2002. He has also served as the commissioner of the Police in Vadodra and Surat.

In his earlier stint, he also accused the Chief Minister of Bihar in the infamous fodder scam.

Asthana had also examined the case of Asaram Bapu and his son Narayan Sai. The absconding Narayan Sai was caught on the Haryana-Delhi border.