SC to hear plea challenging appointment of Rakesh Asthana as interim CBI Director on Friday

New Delhi [India], Dec. 7 (ANI): The Supreme Court today decided to hear the matter regarding the appointment of the interim Crime Branch of India (CBI) Director on Friday. A three judge bench of the Apex Court headed by Chief Justice of India Tirath Singh Thakur decided to hear the matter likely on December 9th. The petition which was filed in the Supreme Court by the registered society - Common Cause - seeking a direction from it that the government has acted in a mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner to ensure the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as the interim Director, of the premiere investigating agency, CBI. The plea sought the quashing of the appointment of Asthana as interim Director, of the CBI and a direction to the Central government to initiate the process for the appointment of regular director of the premier investigating agency as per the law. The petition moved by the society - Common Cause - has contended that the government has acted in a mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner to ensure the appointment of Asthana as interim director, CBI. Telling the court that Asthana had headed the SIT that had probed Godhra train burning case and held several important positions in Gujarat police, Common Cause has said, "the Government took a series of steps in a completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner to ensure that Asthana ... was given the charge of CBI Director". The petition pointed out that it was for the first time in one decade that an interim director was thrust on the investigating agency. It said that the process for the appointment of Ranjit Sinha's successor should have commenced well in advance. (ANI)