The high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 10 removed Alok Verma as CBI Director. The move comes barely a day after Mr. Verma took charge after the Supreme Court reinstated him.
Sources said the decision was taken by a 2:1 majority where Congress Leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Mr. Verma’s removal and wanted the decision to be deferred.
Mr. Modi and Justice A.K. Sikri, nominee of the Chief Justice of India, however, found merit in the report prepared by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) against Mr. Verma.
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training Mr. Verma has been posted as Director-General, Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards for the residual period of his present term ending on January 31. Additional Director M. Nageshwar Rao has been appointed interim Director, till the appointment of a new chief, the order added.
CVC report
The CVC's report against Mr. Verma was also the basis for the government to send him on forced leave two-and-a-half months ago.
The committee had met for a second time in as many days to decide on Mr. Verma's fate after the Supreme Court reinstated him.
PTI adds:
Mr. Verma and his deputy Special Director Rakesh Asthana were sent on the forced leave over two months ago to stop the “Kilkenny cat fight” between them. They had accused each other of corruption.
Mr. Verma had revoked most of the transfers done by Mr. Rao, who was appointed as the interim CBI chief in his absence.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr. Kharge said he has sought documents, including enquiry report by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) into the matter.
“I have asked for certain documents from the government concerning the matter including the CVC’s enquiry reports,” he told reporters in New Delhi on January 10.
He said that Mr. Verma should also be given an opportunity to appear before the committee and represent his case.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi attacked the government ahead of the crucial meeting. He said Mr. Modi was in a “tearing hurry” to “sack” Mr. Verma because of the Rafale deal.
“1. Why is the PM in such a tearing hurry to sack the CBI Chief?
“2. Why will he not allow the CBI Chief to present his case in front of the selection committee? Answer: RAFALE,” Mr. Gandhi said on Twitter.
The top court had asked the government to convene the meeting within a week of its order. It had quashed the government’s unprecedented “overnight” order issued in October 2018, stripping Mr. Verma of his powers and sending him on leave after he and his deputy traded corruption charges, sparking a bitter feud.
The court, while reinstating Mr. Verma, however, made it clear that he will desist from taking any major policy decision till the high-powered committee considers the issue of “divestment of power and authority”.
Mr. Verma had challenged his ouster from the CBI in the apex court.
Mr. Asthana has also approached the Delhi High Court for quashing an FIR registered by the CBI, reportedly at the instance of Mr. Verma, in an alleged corruption case. A decision in this regard is pending in the court.
Mr. Verma’s two-year fixed tenure as CBI director ends on January 31.