Can’t outgoing CBI chief continue in exceptional circumstances, asks Supreme Court

The Government move will hamper the functional autonomy of the probe agency, said Prashant Bhushan.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Union Government to respond whether it can, in “exceptional circumstances”, continue with the outgoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director rather than appointing an “Acting” chief.

A Bench led by Justice L. Nageswara Rao asked the Government, represented by Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, that instead of an interim or an ‘Acting’ Director, the premier investigating agency could continue with the incumbent until the high-powered selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of the Opposition zeroed in on the next regular appointment.