CBI chief appointment: CJI Gogoi withdraws himself from key hearing
New Delhi, Jan 21 (IBNS): Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, has withdrawn himself from a key hearing on petition challenging M Nageswara Rao's appointment as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) interim chief, media reports said.
CJI Gogoi said he recused himself as he is in the Selection Committee to pick the successor of Alok Verma, who was removed on Jan 10.
The petition challenging Rao's appointment was filed by a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) through advocate Prashant Bhushan.
Verma's removal came months after he was sent on leave by the Centre. Rao was appointed by the Centre after sending Verma on leave.
The controversy in the CBI episode revolves around Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana swapping bribe charges.
After he was removed, the Supreme Court had reinstated Verma as the CBI chief but was later removed by the Selection Committee, which also consists of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress.
Image: Screen grab from video/twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn
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