CJI Ranjan Gogoi recuses himself from hearing a plea challenging Nageshwar Rao's appointment as interim director of CBI

In an unprecedented call by the Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, he has recused himself from appearing in a plea which was filed in the Supreme Court to challenge the appointment of M Nageshwar Rao as CBI director.

The Chief Justice of India has said that as he is to appear before the Select Panel on 24th January to decide upon the new CBI director and hence, he cannot be a member of the bench do hear this plea.

News agency ANI tweeted, “Chief Justice of India recuses himself from hearing a plea challenging M Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and has sought transparency in the process of short-listing, selection and appointment of the CBI Director.”

Common Cause, the NGO led by senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan that filed the petition, said it was “illegal, arbitrary, mala fide and in violation of the Delhi Police Special Establishment (DPSE) Act.”

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