Delhi HC Seeks Response on PIL Challenging Appointment of Director of Prosecution Alka Goel

The Delhi High Court has recently sought the response of the city government and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the appointment of Alka Goel as the Director of Prosecution.

A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula, also issued a notice to Alka Goel in connection with the petition filed by Chiranjit Singh Bisht, an Assistant Public Prosecutor.

The petitioner contended that the appointment of Alka Goel as the director of prosecution in the Delhi government should be deemed void due to its arbitrary nature and violation of legal provisions.

“The appointment/promotion of Smt. Alka Goel as Director (Prosecution), Govt. of NCT of Delhi without the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court is illegal, hence void ab initio. Further, the Director (Prosecution) Recruitment Rules, 2021 which exclude the mandatory concurrence of Chief Justice of High Court undermining its Constitutional office as envisaged under Section 25-A of CrPC is ultra vires, hence void to that extent,” the petition stated.

The plea filed through lawyers Sarvesh Singh and Rajeshwari Mitra, emphasized the significance of the position of the director of prosecution in the administration of justice in criminal matters. It further highlighted that securing the concurrence of the chief justice for this appointment aims to establish an independent prosecution.

The next hearing for the matter is scheduled for October. 2023.