We are living in an open democracy: SC says while asking for files of EC's appointment
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Arun Goel, the Election Commissioner (EC)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Attorney General R Venkatramani to submit on Thursday the files regarding the appointment of a new Election Commissioner.
The Constitution bench of the court was hearing a petition seeking to set up "an independent mechanism" to appoint EC when the bench of five judges led by Justice KM Joseph sought details on Arun Goel's appointment to the post.
Goel took over the post on Monday after the Centre issued an order announcing his appointment as the Election Commissioner.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan told the court that Arun Goel was appointed to the post the day after he had taken Voluntary Retirement from Service (VRS) on Friday.
The post of Election Commissioner, according to Bhushan, had been vacant since May and added that he had sought interim orders against Goels' appointment to the post.
Responding to it, the court sought the reason for the hurried appointment of Goel even as the application was pending before the bench.
When the Attorney General opposed making an issue of Goel's appointment, the court directed Venkatramani to produce the files relating to Goel's appointment as there was an interim application pending.
Further, the court demanded to know about the mechanism in place to appoint the election commissioners.
"We don't think it is a matter where you should be withholding information. We are living in an open democracy", Justice Joseph reportedly said.