The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice in a PIL seeking the immediate appointment of a regular Director for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in accordance with the law.
A divisional bench of Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice S. Ravindra Bhat issued notice to the Central Government and sought its response in the matter.
The petition has been filed by NGO Common Cause stating that a proper appointment as per statutory law is necessary for upholding the rule of law and for enforcement of the rights of citizens under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
The petition has come after the recent appointment of Praveen Sinha as the interim Director of CBI on February 3.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, questioned the appointment of the interim director stated that there is no such provision for the appointment of an interim director.
The petitioner has sought a general direction to the Union of India, to make sure that it initiates and completes the process of selection of the CBI Director well in advance, at least 1 to 2 months before the date on which the vacancy in the post of CBI Director is about to occur in future.
However, on Bhushan’s contention seeking direction of convening a selection panel, the bench refused to pass any order.
The bench has listed the matter after two weeks for further hearing.
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