Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy has come out in support of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma, saying that he is an 'honest' man and 'a lot of injustice' has been done to him.
Verma was sent on a compulsory leave by the Centre in October, following his differences with CBI's Special Director Rakesh Asthana and an internal rift in the premier investigating agency over corruption allegations.
This is not the first time when Swamy has praised Verma.
"Honest officers are targeted. Alok Verma is an honest officer; he is so particular that he won't even drink water at someone's house so that he doesn't get indebted. Whatever is happening today must be seen in the context that our investigative agencies are on a decline and how honest officials are being treated badly. The environment and intent have changed," Swamy had said in October.
The latest praise by the Rajya Sabha member for the CBI Director came soon after Central Vigilance Commission submitted its inquiry report against Verma in the Supreme Court. The officer had moved the Court, challenging the Centre's decision of sending him on leave.
On Friday, the apex court indicated that the exiled officer has not been given a clean chit yet in the vigilance report on corruption allegations against him and that a further probe may be required into the matter.
The Court told Verma that the report is "complimentary on some charges, not-so-complimentary on some charges and very uncomplimentary on some charges."
The Court has also asked him to respond to the report in a sealed cover by Monday, following which the case will be heard next on Tuesday.
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