Prashant Bhushan Objects to KV Chowdary's Name as Head of Anti-Graft Watchdog

New Delhi: Noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan has objected to the government's choice for the post of Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), K V Chowdary, who retired as Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes.

Mr Bhushan, who had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh listing out his objections, today made them public.

In the letter, Mr Bhushan alleged that Mr Chowdary had visited former CBI Director Ranjit Sinha on four occasions while the 2G probe was on.

"The Supreme Court on May 14, 2015 has said that Mr Sinha's meetings and the impact of those meetings on cases being dealt by the CBI, needs to be investigated," Mr Bhushan said.

He also pointed out that Mr Chowdary had investigated the aspect of tax evasion in the 2G scam but his probe didn't yield any result unlike other agencies such as CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. Mr Bhushan further alleged that Mr Chowdary himself was under a cloud in a stock related scam.

"In the absence of a Lokpal, the CVC is the main watchdog against corruption. Such posts should be occupied with persons who are beyond any doubt," Mr Bhushan told reporters.

When contacted by NDTV, Mr Chowdary refused to comment on Mr Bhushan's charges. But Union IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad defended Mr Chowdary, even though his name has not been made public.

"As far as I know, the officer concerned is member of the Supreme Court appointed SIT and there is nothing against him. And the lawyer who had raised these objections is someone who has such objections against many people including his original party," said Mr Prasad.

Sources close to Mr Chowdary echoed similar sentiments, "As far as he is concerned, his track record has never been an issue."

So far, the Congress hasn't commented on Mr Bhushan's charges but on Monday, party's leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had made it clear to NDTV that there was consensus on the names.