Rao's appointment as CBI interim director: NV Ramana becomes 3rd SC judge to recuse himself from hearing

NEW DELHI: After CJI Ranjan Gogoi and justice AK Sikri, justice NV Ramana became the third judge to recuse himself from hearing a plea challenging the appointment of M Nageswara Rao as interim director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Earlier, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and justice AK Sikri had recused themselves from hearing the matter.

While recusing himself from hearing the matter, Justice Ramana said Rao is from his home state and he had attended the wedding ceremony of Rao's daughter.

Justice Ramana referred the matter to the CJI to list it before an appropriate bench.

The hearing, scheduled for today, was adjourned after Ramana's decision.

On January 24, the justice AK Sikri had recused himself from hearing a PIL filed by NGO 'Common Cause'.

"You understand my position. I can't hear this matter," Justice Sikri said.

Justice Sikri was part of the high-powered panel which had removed CBI director Alok Verma.

Rao was made the interim CBI director after the selection committee removed Alok Verma as chief of the probe agency on charges of corruption and dereliction of duty.

Earlier on January 21, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had recused himself from hearing the plea challenging the government's January 10 order appointing M Nageswara Rao as interim CBI director, saying he would be taking part in the meeting to select the CBI director on January 24.

The NGO in its petition has sought specific mechanisms to ensure transparency in the process of appointing the CBI director. It has alleged that Rao's appointment was not made on the basis of recommendations of the high-powered selection committee.

The plea has sought a direction to the Centre to appoint a regular CBI director forthwith.

It has also sought an immediate direction to the government to ensure that "all records" of deliberations and rational criteria related to short-listing and selection of the CBI director be properly recorded and made available to citizens in consonance with the provisions of the RTI Act.