The Supreme Court on Friday restrained senior IPS officer Archana Ramasundaram from discharging her duty as Additional Director of CBI, saying that her appointment prima facie seems to be illegal and against the statute.
A bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha questioned the Centre’s decision to appoint her as her name was not recommended by the selection committee. “Once the committee decides, you should give effect to it. This is the law and you have to carry out the law. It amounts to nullifying the statute. She cannot be permitted to work,” the bench observed.
The court said the government cannot superimpose its decision on the appointment of the officer in CBI. Senior advocate A K Ganguly, appearing for the officer, submitted that she has already joined the CBI. “We’re informed by Ganguly that Ramasundaram has already joined as Additional Director as per the Centre’s May 7 order. Having considered the... provision of the DSPE Act with regard to appointment of officers above SP rank, we find that the petitioner has made strong prima facie case that she was not recommended by the selection committee,” the SC bench said.