The Supreme Court Tuesday expressed strong displeasure over the leak of CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma's confidential reply in the media and adjourned the hearing in his case to November 29.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph handed over to senior advocate Fali S Nariman, appearing for Verma, the copy of a report by a news portal, which has published the CBI director's response.

Nariman after going through the media report told the bench that he was "shattered" and "shocked" on Verma's reply being leaked in the media.

The senior lawyer said the news portal and its journalists concerned be summoned as the press should be free and responsible.

The court was hearing Verma's plea against govt's decision to divest him of duties and sending him on leave.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)