SC dismisses plea against Asthana’s appointment as CBI special director 

SC dismisses plea against Asthana’s appointment as CBI special director 

Context

SC’s order on a petition challenging CBI’s new appointment

What has happened?

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of senior Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as a special director of the CBI

Centre’s position

The Centre opposed the plea, saying Mr. Asthana had had an outstanding career and supervised over 40 high profile cases, including the coal and AgustaWestland scams, black money and money laundering

Petitioner’s position

The petitioner, Common Cause, an NGO, opposed Asthana’s appointment, saying it was illegal as his name had surfaced in a diary recovered during a raid conducted by the Income Tax Department at the offices and other premises of Sterling Biotech Ltd.