President’s advisor Omita Paul denies role in Sebi chief’s appointment

NEW DELHI: President’s advisor Omita Paul has denied any role in the appointment of UK Sinha as Sebi chairman, dismissed all allegations made against her in a PIL as “baseless” and urged the Supreme Court to dismiss it with costs. “… the gravamen of the allegations was that these persons were handpicked by the answering respondent to ensure a majority in the selection committee. This allegation apart from being absolutely false is patently absurd…,” her reply said.

She also denied that the then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee had reversed his earlier decision to extend Bhave’s term and that of two whole-time members on the basis of her “noting”. “There is absolutely no basis whatsoever to allege that the file noting made by the respondent was the basis for such decision being taken,” her affidavit said.

The PIL had alleged that she had intervened to deny extension to the officers as they were doing a commendable job and that she was acting on behalf of corrupt companies.

She had been accused of withdrawing these names, handpicking the selection committee and then beginning the process afresh to choose Sinha. “Further the allegation that the two experts were handpicked by the answering respondent is completely false and mischievous. It is a deliberate attempt to case shadow on the integrity of the two….”