The Supreme Court said on Thursday questioned the centre on the appointment of former IAS officer Arun Goel as the new Election Commissioner was very quick and at a “lightening speed”.
The initial materials submitted by the Center regarding Goel’s nomination as Election Commissioner were reviewed by a five-judge Constitution bench under the direction of Justice KM Joseph. Justices Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy, and CT Ravikumar were also on the bench.
“What was it prevailed upon the government to commence the process in a manner that everything has to be done within the lowest possible time and super fast?” they questioned.
“On November 18… We discover that the file (the appointment file for Arun Goel) was relocated that day. The Prime Minister continues, “Taking experiences and sustainability into consideration, I recommend the name.” It took a day to complete, “Attorney General (AG) R Venkataramani, who was representing the Central government, was questioned by Justice Joseph over the tearing rush.
The bench added, “Same day process, same day clearance, same day application, same day acceptance, and same day appointment. MR. Attorney General, the file has not travelled 24 hours as if the lightning speed is there. What kind of evaluation is there?”
No unsettling aspect of the appointment, according to the central government.
The bench made it clear that it was criticising the procedure rather than Arun Goel’s qualifications.
The bench requested yesterday that the Center provide over the documents pertaining to Goel’s appointment as the new Election Commissioner.
In the meantime, the Supreme Court has deferred ruling on a number of petitions calling for the nomination of Election Commissioners (ECs) and the Chief Election Commissioner to be done through a collegium-like process (CEC).
“According to your first page, this vacancy was since May 15. Can you show us that from May to November, what was it that weighed on the government that everything must be done superfast in November,” asked Justice Ajay Rastogi.