CJI recuses from hearing plea challenging appointment of M N Rao as interim CBI chief

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi Monday recused himself from hearing a plea challenging the government's January 10 order appointing M Nageswara Rao as interim CBI director, saying he would be taking part in the meeting to select the CBI director on January 24.

The high-powered Selection Committee, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CJI and the Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, is likely to meet on January 24 to appoint new CBI Director.

The post of CBI Director is lying vacant ever since the government removed Alok Verma and appointed Additional Director Rao as interim chief till the appointment of a new director.

"I am participating in the selection committee meeting and so I will not be hearing this," said the CJI.

The bench, also comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna, then said that the PIL filed by NGO 'Common Cause' would be heard by some other appropriate bench.

Rao was made the interim CBI director after the Selection Committee removed Verma as chief .