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.