The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the Centre to go ahead with the appointment of Chief Vigilance Commissioner and Vigilance Commissioner after the government said applications of all 130 aspirants for the posts of anti-corruption watchdog would be considered by a high-powered panel headed by the prime minister.
A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice H L Dattu modified its December 17, 2014 order wherein the government was told to take permission before going ahead with the process of appointment.
The bench, also comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy, gave a green signal to the government, in view of “urgency” of the matter and posts remaining vacant for a few months.
The court, however, asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to produce all records which would be considered by the selection panel, also comprising the Union home minister and the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Rohatgi told the court that 10 people have been shortlisted for each of the posts of the CVC and VC. He also clarified that all 130 applications would be considered and placed before the selection panel.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for PIL petitioner contended that all records, including the list of persons who applied for the posts, must be supplied to him in order to ascertain if the government was following the due process.
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