The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its decision on the maintainability of a public interest litigation opposing the appointment of BJP national spokesman Sambit Patra as an independent director on the board of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
Arguments heard
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar heard the arguments for several hours on behalf of the Centre and non-government organisation Energy Watchdog, which had moved the petition, and said it will pass orders on November 8 on whether a notice has to be issued in the matter.
Eligibility questioned
The NGO has also sought cancellation of the appointment of Shashi Shanker as ONGC Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). The NGO, represented by senior advocate Jayant Bhushan, questioned the eligibility of Mr. Patra to be appointed as an independent director, and said that proper procedure was not followed for appointing him to the post.
He said the BJP spokesperson was a doctor and the ONGC has nothing to do in the field of medicine to appoint him on its Board.