CJI Ranjan Gogoi recuses himself from hearing plea against Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim CBI director 

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has recused himself from hearing a plea challenging M Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim director of the CBI.

Gogoi recused himself saying he is part of the selection panel that will choose a new CBI director. The CBI director is chosen by the prime minister, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India.

The plea will now be heard by another bench.

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The plea against Rao's appointment was filed by the NGO Common Cause after former director Alok Verma was transferred out of the agency. (Verma refused to take up his new posting, telling the government to instead consider him retired. Under the rules, the CBI director has an assured tenure of two years during which time he cannot be sacked, replaced or transferred.)

Verma had accused his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana of corruption.Asthana levelled the same charge against Verma. They were both finally shunted out.

ANI added that CJI Gogoi on Monday also sought transparency in the process of shortlisting, selection and appointment of the CBI director.