Arun Goel’s paperwork was approved in “alacrity” and a “shredding hurry,” according to the Supreme Court, which on Thursday questioned the procedure used to choose him as an Election Commissioner (EC).
The Centre, via Attorney General R Venkataramani, asked the court to fully investigate the case after the top court noted that the paperwork related to Goel’s appointment was approved at “lightning speed.”
“This assessment is of what kind? Arun Goel’s qualifications are not in dispute; rather, the procedure is “KM Joseph, the chief justice of a five-judge Constitution panel, stated.
The highest-ranking attorney was speaking to the bench about the situation when he remarked, “Before you speak, kindly wait a bit. I kindly request that you look at the matter thoroughly.”
The top court’s Wednesday directive directed the Centre to present the original file of Goel’s appointment as an EC to the bench, where it was reviewed.
A panel of four candidates was presented to the prime minister, and Goel’s name received the president’s approval within 24 hours, according to the bench. The 1985-batch IAS officer’s paperwork was also approved by the Law Ministry in a single day.
A group of petitions asking for a collegium-like method for choosing ECs and the Chief Election Commissioner are being heard by the bench.
A five-judge Constitution Bench led by Justice K M Joseph and composed of Justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy, and C T Ravikumar informed Attorney General R Venkataramani that an application from Advocate Prashant Bhushan was before the bench. Bhushan had requested interim orders against filling up the post that has been vacant since May.
“Today on 24th November, Thursday, we heard the matter. At that point, according to Mr. Bhushan, an interim application has been made. The subsequent hearing was held yesterday. As a result, we need you to provide over the documents related to this officer’s appointment.
Therefore, there is nothing to worry if you are in the right, as you assert, and there is no hanky-panky, Justice Joseph added.
The bench said that it was interested in learning about the process used. On Thursday, when the subject will be heard once more, it requested that the government disclose the file.
What procedure was used to pick up this police officer? Can it be made while this Court was deliberating the matter? Judge Joseph enquired.
The AG stated that there was no court order prohibiting the appointment.
According to Justice Joseph, we’d want to know… If everything is hunky-dory, everything is going on smoothly, as you claim, you have nothing to fear.”
