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โ€œElection Commissioner Arun Goelโ€™s File Cleared At Lightning Speed,โ€ Says SC

Supreme Court SC

The Supreme Court (SC) has stated that it was interested in learning whether the appointment involved any โ€œhanky-pankyโ€

New Delhi: The Supreme Court said that the file pertaining to the appointment of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner was cleared very fast. Arun is a 1985 batch IAS officer.

โ€œVacancy of Election Commissioner arose on May 15 and Arun Goelโ€™s file was cleared at lightning speed,โ€ the Supreme Court said.

The court pointed out: โ€œMinister of Law picks the names from the list of four names shortlistedโ€ฆ The file was put up on November 18; moves the same day. Even PM recommends the name on the same day. We donโ€™t want any confrontation, but was this done in any haste? Whatโ€™s the tearing hurry?โ€

When hearing petitions calling for an independent process to choose election commissioners, the Supreme Courtโ€™s Constitution bench requested the documents relating to Arun Goelโ€™s recent appointment as the Election Commissioner on Wednesday.

The SC has stated that it was interested in learning whether the appointment involved any โ€œhanky-panky.โ€ The Supreme Court opined that the ruling government โ€œlikes to perpetuate itself in powerโ€ and can appoint someone under the current system.

Also Read: โ€œNeed Election Commissioner Who Can Take Action Even Against PM,โ€ Says Supreme Court, Directs Centre To Produce Documents Of New CECโ€™s Appointment

Over this, the Centre argued and said that a 1991 Act ensured the Election Commission remains independent in terms of salary and tenure to its members. It further added that there is no โ€œtrigger pointโ€ which warrants interference from the court.

The Center brought the original file of Arun Goelโ€™s appointment before the SC constitution bench. After this Attorney General R. Venkataramani, speaking on behalf of the Center, asked the Supreme Court to conduct a thorough investigation into the case, reported PTI.

โ€œWhat kind of evaluation is this. We are not questioning the merits of EC Arun Goelโ€™s credentials but the process of his appointment,โ€ the court said.

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