Search the Internet          Tips

CBI director's appointment subject to
outcome of Karnataka DGP's petition

The interim order was passed on April 25 by the Bangalore bench of CAT comprising Justice Neelam Sanjiva Reddy and Srikantan on an application filed by Director General of Police (fire forces and home guards) R Viswanathan, who wants to be considered a candidate for the CBI director's post.

In the brief order, the CAT said, "Considering the circumstances of this case, we are of the view that it is just and proper to pass an interim order that the appointment of the CBI director shall be subject to the final outcome of the original application pending further orders."

Former Karnataka DGP C Dinakar, who had contested the appointment of R K Raghavan as CBI director, is arguing the case of Dr Viswanathan.

In Dinakar's case, the Bangalore bench had quashed the appointment of Raghavan on February eight. However, the same had been stayed by the Karnataka high court.

It was agreed before the CAT that Dr Viswanathan fulfilled the criteria of seniority, integrity and experience in investigation as laid down by the Supreme Court in the Vineet Narain case.

Meanwhile, official sources said that the names of Andhra Pradesh DGP H J Dora, Gujarat DGP Chakravarty, ITBP DG S C C Chaube and CBI Special Director P C S Sharma were making the rounds.

However, Chaube and Sharma were junior to Dr Viswanathan, who was placed fifth in the seniority list in the 1966 batch order of merit. Chaube was 16th in the seniority list, while Sharma was placed 54th.

The sources pointed that Dr Viswanathan, who is to retire on October 31, 2001, fulfilled the criterion laid by the Supreme Court for the selection of the post. He had experience in investigation as he had served as a superintendent of police in the CBI from 1976 to 1980 and one year in the state vigilance commission.

The fire services DGP, who is proficient in French, was attached to Interpol for a brief period during his stay in Paris, where he did his thesis.

Dr Viswanathan, who has been awarded the meritorious service medal and President's medal for distinguished service, had also served as Inspector General of the Central Industrial Security Force.

He was police adviser to the government of Seychelles for two years from February 1993.

UNI

RELATED REPORT
SC refuses to modify order on CBI chief

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report