CBI opposes move to appoint amicus curiae

‘Such an appointment is bound to cause interference, compromise our independence’

November 26, 2013 06:13 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 07:54 pm IST - New Delhi

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday strongly opposed any move to appoint amicus curiae to assist judges hearing the coal-block-allocation case on the grounds that it would impinge on the investigating agency’s independence.

Making this submission before a three-judge Bench of Justices R.M. Lodha, Madan B. Lokur and Kurian Joseph, senior counsel Amarendra Saran said: “Appointment of amicus curiae is not acceptable to us as it would amount to supervising the probe. It is bound to [cause] interference in the ongoing probe. It would compromise the independence of the institution if the probe report [is] shared with the amicus curiae. The report is meant for the court and no other person [should] be allowed to go through it.”

Mr. Saran argued that when the court had saidthe status report should not be shared even with the Attorney-General, it would not be proper for an outsider to sit in judgment. However, Justice Lodha sought to allay counsel’s concerns and said it would merely monitor — not supervise — the probe.

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