HC notice to Goa govt over appointment of state CIC

The Bombay High Court today issued notice to Goa government on a petition that challenged the appointment of retired IAS officer Leena Mehendale as state Chief Information Commissioner (CIC).
The division Goa bench comprising Justice N H Patil and Justice U V Bakre today directed that notice be issued to state government on a petition filed by lawyer-cum-social activist Aires Rodrigues.
The court directed the state government to file its reply to the petition and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
Rodrigues today argued before the high court that the entire selection process and appointment of Mehendale as CIC was "illegal and not in accordance with law".

He further submitted that the appointment of Mehendale was neither as per the directives of the Supreme Court nor was it in consonance with the Right to Information Act.
Drawing the court's attention that Mehendale had "falsely" stated in her bio data that she had a Law degree from Mumbai University, Rodrigues also submitted that she had not, as required, routed her application through the Chairman of the Central Administrative Tribunal, of which she is currently a member at the Bombay bench.

Rodrigues also told the court that Mehendale could not have been considered for the post of CIC in view of the Goa Official Language Act, which mandates the knowledge of Konkani which she did not have.

Rodrigues also submitted that the selection and appointment of Mehendale was made in "utter violation" of the directions issued by the Supreme Court, which mandated to adopt a fair and transparent method of recommending names for appointment to the post of CIC.
The petitioner alleged that Mehendale's selection and appointment to the post of CIC was "arbitrary", contrary to all norms, rules and directions considering that there were other candidates, who possessed the needed qualifications, legal knowledge and experience.