PIL against appointment of ICAR DG; HC seeks Centre reply

Delhi High Court today sought the Centre's response on a PIL challenging the appointment of a person as the Secretary of Department of Agricultural Research and Education as well as the Director General of ICAR.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal was hearing a petition alleging that Trilochan Mohapatra, Director of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), was appointed to the two posts despite not satisfying the eligibility norms and without applying for the positions.
Taking note of the issues raised in the petition, the court asked the authorities concerned to file a short affidavit within four weeks with regard to the averments raised in the plea.

It also asked them to show on August 30, the next date of hearing, the relevant rules as per which the appointment was made.
The petitioner, Jai Singh Chauhan, has contended that as per the advertisement issued regarding the posts, an applicant should have at least 25 years of experience in the field of agricultural research or education, out of which at least five years should be in Research Management Position (RMP).
In his plea, filed through advocate Saqib, Chauhan has alleged that Mohapatra only has 23 years of total experience and 3.5 yrs of RMP experience.
The petitioner has also claimed that as per information obtained by him under RTI, even the Search-cum-Selection Committee had not shortlisted Mohapatra for the posts.

The petition seeks directions from the court "declaring the selection and appointment of respondent no.4 (Mohapatra) to the post of Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education cum Director General (ICAR) as null and void, illegal and non-est in law.