Congress says SC decision on Verma slap in Modi govt's face, BJP defensive

NEW DELHI: Congress and other opposition parties went on the offensive after the SC decision reinstating ousted CBI chief Alok Verma, claiming it was a slap in Modi government’s face, while BJP was guarded in its response, saying it would comply with the SC order.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “The truth of Rafale will destroy Narendra Modi. It’s only a question of time before full evidence of his role in the theft of Rs 30,000 crore becomes public. Congratulations to SC for upholding the law.” He had earlier alleged Verma was abruptly removed as the CBI chief because he was examining a complaint about the Rafale deal.

Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala said it was the first time a PM’s “illegal orders” were set aside by SC.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley, said the government would comply with the orders of the apex court. “The government took this decision to protect the integrity of the CBI.... Government took the action of sending two senior officers of CBI on leave on CVC’s recommendation,” he said, referring to the decision to send Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana on leave.

The decision by the government on the issue was completely legal as the two officers in question were at loggerheads, he said. He added the court has referred the matter to the committee to decide on the issue within one week.

But Surjewala said: “Modi adds another first to his list. After being the first PM to be exposed destroying the CBI before the SC, after having ruined CVC’s credibility, Modi has now become the first PM to have his illegal orders set aside by the SC…. Let this be a lesson to you about the strength of our democracy and the Constitution. Let this be a lesson that howsoever despotic you may be, law catches up in the end.”

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said Verma’s reinstatement was a “direct indictment of Modi and his office”. “Will he (Modi) take responsibility for this blatantly illegal act? If he has any moral conscience he should quit. No other government in independent India has tried to kill institutions the way Modi government has, because it is scared of its massive corruption, cronyism and illegalities at the very top being caught out,” Yechury said on Twitter.

Communist Party of India demanded that Verma’s tenure be extended at least to cover the period of his forced leave, considering he was probing the controversial Rafale deal.