Retired Supreme Court judge Justice S N Phukan was on Saturday appointed to head the commission of inquiry looking into the Tehelka expose of alleged corruption in defence deals.

Justice Phukan, who hails from Assam and retired last year, would replace Justice K Venkataswamy, who resigned in the wake of a controversy over his simultaneous appointment as chairman of Authority on Advance Rulings on Customs and Excise.

Justice Phukan's appointement ends a two-month old search by the government to fill the vacancy.