'Tearing hurry' in clearing Election Commissioner Arun Goel's file? asks SC
As the Centre placed the original files of Arun Goel's appointment to the Supreme Court bench, it noted that the vacancy arose on May 15 and Arun Goel's file was cleared with 'lightning speed'.
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre whether the file of appointing Arun Goel as the Election Commissioner was cleared in 'haste' and 'in a tearing hurry'. The vacancy arose on May 15 and Arun Goel's file was cleared with 'lightning speed', the apex court observed. The Centre placed the original file of the appointment before the SC bench on Thursday. Attorney General R Venkataramani explained the procedure and asked the bench to 'hold its mouth', requesting the apex court to look into the matter in its entirety. Read : EC selections spark tussle over executive, judicial boundaries
“What kind of evaluation is this? We are not questioning the merits of EC Arun Goel’s credentials but the process of his appointment,” the Supreme Court said.
The five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Justice KM Joseph, was hearing the case over Arun Goel's appointment for the third consecutive day. On Wednesday Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the Supreme Court that it was a wrong presupposition that the mere presence of someone from the judiciary in the panel for appointment of Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner would ensure transparency and independence.
The appointment of Election Commissioner Arun Goel came under scrutiny by the top court which said it wanted to know whether there was any ‘hanky-panky’ in the appointment and sought the original files from the centre. The bench on Wednesday said the inclusion of the Chief Justice of India in the consultative process for the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner would ensure the independence of the poll panel.
The court was hearing a batch of pleas seeking a collegium-like system for the appointment of the Election Commissioner and the Chief Election Commissioner.
The apex court was of the view that any ruling party at the Centre "likes to perpetuate itself in power'' and can appoint a 'Yes Man' to the post under the current system. The Centre argued that a 1991 Act ensured the Election Commission remains independent in terms of salary and tenure to its members and there is no "trigger point'' which warrants interference from the court.
Arun Goel was appointed as the Election Commissioner on November 19 and he took the charge on November 21.
