PIL Filed In Supreme Court Seeking Mechanism For Appointment Of A 'Politically-Neutral' CAG; Questions Current CAG's Appointment

A public interest litigation has been initiated before the Supreme Court questioning appointment of K Sanjay Murthy as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and seeking formulation of a transparent mechanism by the Union for appointment of a "politically neutral person" to the high constitutional office.

The petition, filed in public interest by the NGO 'Lok Prahari', seeks a declaration that the existing selection procedure for appointment of CAG is against the mandate of the Constituent Assembly and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.

The petitioner further questions the appointment of K Sanjay Murthy (respondent No.3) as the CAG on account of being 'prima facie arbitrary and malafide'. He seeks a direction for the Union to lay down a proper transparent and objective procedure for appointment of a politically neutral person as the CAG.

In March, the Supreme Court issued notice on a PIL filed by Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) seeking a direction that the CAG appointment be made by an independent committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. CPIL argues that the present system of the Union Government solely selecting the CAG hampered their independence.

Case Title: LOK PRAHARI THROUGH ITS GENERAL SECRETARY S N SHUKLA, I.A.S. (RETD.), ADVOCATE Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., Diary No. 17740-2025