Govt response sought on CBI officer's appointment

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to explain if it was possible for it to ask an officer to join Central deputation without concurrence of the state while refusing to alter its order restraining a senior woman IPS officer from acting as additional director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A three-judge bench, presided over by Chief Justice R M Lodha, pointed out that rules require concurrence of the state government and every action has to take into account the federal structure.

“Is it open for the Centre to ask an officer to join (Central deputation) without concurrence of the state. Is the Centre competent under the rules to call upon an officer to join irrespective of the consent of the state?” the court asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi while hearing a PIL filed by journalist-activist Vineet Narain against the appointment of IPS officer Archana Ramasundaram as CBI additional director.

Rohatgi said he was trying to sort out the issue, and even advised that she resign as additional director and get empanelled on the DG rank.