Arun Goel: Coming down heavily on the Centre, the Supreme Court questioned what was the “tearing hurry” for the “super fast” appointment of ex-IAS officer Arun Goel as Election Commissioner. The government lawyer in turn asked the court to “hold its mouth” and requested it to see the matter “in entirety”.
The five-judge Constitution bench gave some stinging remarks against the government on the process for the third consecutive day. It took up straight the files on Arun Goel that it had sought yesterday.
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‘We don’t want any confrontation’
The court pointed out: “Minister of Law picks the names from the list of four names shortlisted… The file was put up on November 18; moves the same day. Even PM recommends the name on the same day. We don’t want any confrontation, but was this done in any haste? What’s the tearing hurry?”
It added, “This vacancy [became] available on May 15. Show us from May to November, what prevailed upon the government to do things super fast?” It noted that the process “started and completed on the same day”. “Not even in 24 hours, the process was completed and notified. What kind of evaluation [was done] here… Although, we are not questioning the merits of Arun Goel’s credentials but the process.”
It emphasised that the court had nothing against Arun Goel. “There were 4 names that you recommended. Out of vast reservoir of names, how do you actually select a name? We dont have anything against an individual. This man, infact, is excellent in terms of academic. But we are concerned with the structure of the appointment. We are telling you openly you are violating Section 6!. He is the youngest among the 4 names who were recommended. How did you select. We want to know that.”
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‘Hold your mouth’
Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the central government, reacted, “Please hold your mouth for a while. I request to look into the issue in entirety.”
However, the court was unrelenting. “We are being blunt. If all these four names are carefully chosen, as yes men — we are concerned with the process of selection,” it said and asked how four names were shortlisted from the officer database of the Department of Personnel.
On Wednesday the bench had asked if there was any “hanky panky” in the appointment of Arun Goel, who was recently given voluntary retirement and immediately appointed CEC.
After the hearing today, the court reserved its order on a batch of pleas seeking a collegium-like system for the Election Commission appointments.
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