SC notice on appointment of CBI additional director

The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to the central government challenging the appointment of woman IPS officer Archana Ramasundram as additional director of the CBI, disregarding the recommendation of the selection committee.

The bench of Chief Justice R.M. Lodha, Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Kurian Joseph issued notice to the centre and others on a plea by journalist and anti-corruption activist Vineet Narain.

Narain said the appointment of Ramasundram, an Indian Police Service officer, was arbitrary as it was in disregard to the laid down procedure under the Central Vigilance Commission Act and Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.

He said the revised Jan Lokpal Act reiterated the selection process.

Appearing for Narain, counsel K.K. Venugopl said Ramasundram was appointed to the CBI additional director's post, overlooking the selection committee's recommendation of R.K. Pachnanda.

The plea said the selection committee gave just one name and not a panel of names as expected of it, and there was no rule that it could recommend a lone name.