Government’s pick of a female IPS officer as Additional Director in CBI came under judicial scanner on Monday after a PIl alleged that the Centre deliberately overlooked the recommendation of a Selection Committee to appoint a person of its choice.
The Bench, headed by Chief Justice RM lodha, issued notice to the Centre and CBI on a petition by journalist Vineet Narain, and fixed the matter for hearing on May 9. It refused to issue any interim order for the present.
The PIl challenged the appointment of Archana Ramasundram as CBI Additional Director on the ground that Section 4C of DSPE Act required a statutory Committee of CVC to recommend the name for the post.
Arguing the petition, senior advocate KK Venugopal informed the court that the met in November 2013 and recommended the name of RK Panchnanda for the post. The Committee found no adverse remarks against the officer. But despite a unanimous recommendation, the Centre appointed Ramasundaram, a 1980 batch officer from Tamil Nadu cadre.
Venugopal said, “Section 4C was introduced to prevent interference in CBI functioning by Centre. Whoseover is recommended by the Committee under this Section is overridden by the Government. Then why need a Committee.”