The petitioner Rajendrakumar Trivedi, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police force in Maharashtra, has challenged the continuation of Jaiswal as CBI chief on the ground that he does not possess experience in investigation of anti-corruption cases and has doubtful credibility.
The plea filed through law firm Talekar and Associates, highlighted the provisions of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Act which provide for the eligibility criteria and mechanism for appointment of CBI Director.
As per the same, the officer who is to be appointed as Director, has to be the senior-most IPS officer having experience in the investigation of anti-corruption cases with impeccable credibility.
The plea by Trivedi stated that the appointment of Jaiswal as Director was contrary to the mandate under the CVC Act.
He also questioned Jaiswal’s authority on the ground that he had no experience investigating anti-corruption cases.
It was submitted that Jaiswal’s credibility was doubtful for the reason that when Jaiswal was heading a special investigation committee for investigating the scam of fake and counterfeit stamps involving several police officials including senior IPS officer Param Bir Singh, there were allegations against the committee and the investigation came to be transferred to CBI.
The Central government recently filed its counter-affidavit in the matter defending Jaiswal’s appointment, stating that Jaiswal has handled anti-corruption cases including economic offences, white collar crimes, corporate crimes and cases under Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).
It was further contended that he has no complaints or court cases against him and the petition challenging his appointment is devoid of merits.
Source: Barandbench
