'Tearing hurry' in clearing Arun Goel's file as Election Commissioner?: Supreme Court tells Centre
The bench also said that the inclusion of the Chief Justice of India in the consultative process for the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner would ensure the independence of the poll panel.
FollowThe Supreme Court on Thursday (November 24) slammed the central government and asked it whether the file of appointing Arun Goel as the Election Commissioner was cleared in 'haste' and 'in a tearing hurry'. The top court observed that the vacancy arose on May 15 and Arun Goel's file was cleared with 'lightning speed'. On Thursday, the Centre placed the original file of the appointment before the top court.
"What kind of evaluation is this? We are not questioning the merits of EC Arun Goel’s credentials but the process of his appointment," the Supreme Court told Centre.
During the hearing, lawyer Prashant Bhushan attempted to make submissions before the bench when the attorney general was arguing. "Please hold your mouth for a while", the top-most law officer told Bhushan.
Also read:Â Delhi murder: Devendra Fadnavis orders probe into why no action was taken on Shraddha's letter
The five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Justice KM Joseph, was hearing the case over the appointment of Arun Goel for the third consecutive day.
Earlier on Wednesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, informed the Supreme Court that it was a wrong presupposition that the mere presence of someone from the judiciary in the panel for appointment of Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner would ensure transparency and independence.
Also read:Â 'Steps will be stronger, when we walk together': Priyanka Gandhi joins Rahul in Bharat Jodo Yatra
Arun Goel's appointment as Election Commissioner has come under scrutiny by the Supreme Court which said it wanted to know whether there was any "hanky-panky" in the appointment and sought the original files from the centre.
The bench also said that the inclusion of the Chief Justice of India in the consultative process for the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner would ensure the independence of the poll panel.
Also read:Â 'Any hanky panky?': Supreme Court asks Centre to show Election Commissioner Arun Goel's appointment files
The Supreme Court was of the view that any ruling party of any colour at the Centre "likes to perpetuate itself in power" and can appoint a 'Yes Man' to the post under the current system. The central government also argued that a 1991 Act ensured the Election Commission remains independent in terms of salary and tenure to its members.
On November 19, Arun Goel was appointed as the Election Commissioner and took the charge on November 21.
