The Government has correctly decided to invite fresh applications for the posts. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar-headed three-member committee had cleared the names of journalist Sandesh Prabhudesai and former senior administrative and quasi-judicial functionary of the Union defence ministry Stanley Coutinho for the post.
The selection was due to be placed before cabinet for approval.
Speaking to media persons, Parrikar said that the advocate general has identified legal flaws in the selections, as the Supreme Court in its judgment had said that SIC should have knowledge and experience of law and the advertisement released for the post did not mention the same.
“Hence we have declared the post as null and void. We will soon release new advertisement for the post by incorporating the criteria of experience of law,” he said.
Prabhudesai and Coutinho were the people whose names were selected in July 2013, when the posts were advertised for the first time. While Coutinho had the necessary quasi legal experience, Prabhudesai’s educational qualifications were suspect, let alone any law or even administrative background.
The first time around, the selections were cancelled following controversy wherein Government had on August 14, scrapped two posts after it was challenged in the High Court.
Prabhudesai’s selection was challenged in the High Court for violating recruitment rules to favour him. In fact Prabhudesai had not even applied for the post but his recommendation was made by a so-called activist.
The Court had then issued notice to Government as well as Prabhudesai seeking their response within seven days.
As per requirement, SICs have to be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass medic or administration and governance.
