HC stays CAT order on CBI chief Raghavan

HC stays CAT order on CBI chief Raghavan
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Bangalore, Feb 19: A Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court today stayed the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) quashing the appointment of CBI Director R K Raghavan.

The Bench, comprising Chief Justice P V Reddi and Justice K L Manjunath, passed the interim order on the writ petition filed by the Union Government challenging the February 8 order of the Bangalore Bench of CAT.

The Bench directed that the case be posted for final hearing on June four.

``In the interest of continuity of administration, the seventh respondent (Raghavan) need not be replaced immediately'', the judges ruled.

The CAT had on February 8 quashed the appointment of Raghavan as CBI director, holding it unsustainable, and directed the government to find a new chief to the agency in two months.

The CAT order had come on an application filed by Karnataka Director General of Police, C Dinakar, who challenged Raghavan's appointment, contending that it was `illegal, arbitrary and unjust'.

The High Court today also dismissed Dinakar's petition praying for a direction to the government to complete the process of selection of a new CBI director before February 28, when he retires or in the alternative -- in the event of the government failing to do so -- continue his services till the exercise is completed.

On his first prayer, the court observed that ``it (completing the process before February 28) is highly impracticable, if not impossible''.

Referring to the plea on extension of service beyond the date of superannuation, the Bench expressed the view that it was not possible for the court to direct such an interim measure but the respondent (Dinakar) could approach the concerned government seeking extension of service.

Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Dinakar said he would examine the court order before taking a decision on challenging it in the Supreme Court.

On the court today allowing him to approach the concerned government seeking extension of services, Dinakar said he had not taken a decision on doing so.

Responding to a question, he said after his retirement from service, he is going to practise law.