New Delhi, The Government on Friday hailed the Supreme Court order on the CBI row and said the verdict has vindicated its stand that “highest standard of fairness” should be maintained in matters related to corruption, especially in the premier investigative agency.
“The Government considers the court’s order today as very positive development,” Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters here.
“….highest standard and due process of law — that was the object behind the CVC’s directions, that was the object behind the government decision,” he said, adding that the apex court in its ruling added two additional steps that is early disposal and an oversight judge.
The court’s order only added to that “fairness process”, he said.
Mr Jaitley said the government has always maintained that in matters related to corruption of two top CBI officials cannot be probed by the agency itself. The power of supervising the functioning the CBI is with the CVC and today’s judgement establishes this fact and strengthens the argument of the government.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court ordered CVC to conduct an inquiry against CBI Director Alok Verma and to file a report within two weeks. It also added that former SC judge A K Patnaik will oversee the CVC probe against Mr Verma.
Mr Verma moved the top court on Wednesday against the government’s decision to divest him of his duties and send him on leave.