CJI recuses himself from hearing plea challenging M Nageswara appointment as interim CBI director

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi on Monday recused himself from hearing a plea challenging the appointment of M. Nageswara Rao as the interim CBI director.

According to NDTV, the CJI said he was recusing himself as he is a part of the selection committee meeting to choose the new CBI director.

The new chief of CBI would succeed Alok Verma, who was removed from his position months after he was sent on leave and replaced by Rao.

The high-powered selection committee comprises the prime minister, the chief justice and senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge – representing the opposition.

The selection panel is now likely to meet on January 24 to decide on the new CBI director.

A bench comprising CJI and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Common Cause last Monday through advocate Prashant Bhushan challenging the appointment of Rao as interim CBI director.

The plea claimed the January 10 order through which Rao was made interim director is in violation of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.