In an unprecedented move, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Kumar Verma was removed from the post on charges of corruption and dereliction of duty and made the Directorate General of Fire Services.
Verma was restored as the CBI chief two days ago with clipped wings following a Supreme Court order. The appointments committee of the Cabinet has now posted Verma as DG, Fire Services, Civil Defence, and Home Guards and made M Nageshwar Rao interim CBI chief.
The decision to remove Verma was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-headed high-powered select committee after a 2 hour-long meeting at his residence. The select committee comprised PM Modi, CJI nominee Justice AK Sikri and leader of the single largest party in the Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. The panel was split into two on the decision to remove Verma. PM Modi and Sikri were in favour of removing Verma whereas Kharge dissented during the meeting.
Sources said CVC found evidence of influencing of investigation in the Moin Qureshi case. There was also evidence of Verma accepting a bribe of Rs 2 crore. CVC was of the view that his conduct in the case was suspicious, and there is a prima facie case against him. The CVC also felt that the entire truth will come out if a criminal investigation is ordered.
The Committee also took note of Verma's attempts to induct officers of doubtful integrity in the CBI, according to sources.
In the IRCTC case, the CVC felt that it can be reasonably concluded that Verma deliberately excluded a name from the FIR, for reasons best known to him.
The CVC found evidence against Verma in several other cases as well.
The CVC also found instances of wilful non-production of record, and fabrication of record, a source said.
Prime Minister and Justice AK Sikri found his continuance detrimental to institutional integrity. Kharge, said sources, vehemently opposed the move to sack him. Kharge wanted deferment too, but the other two went for the decision and asked for giving Verma a chance to present his case before the committee.
Kharge, while opposing the decision, asked how can the charges be believed unless they are put through an inspection committee. A dissenting Kharge, sources added, also questioned the CVC report.
In response to the insinuation that he was not given a chance to be heard, it may be noted that Verma was given an opportunity to present his case before the CVC, in presence of Retd. Justice Patnaik, the source added.Later, the Congress took to Twitter to express its disagreement with the decision.
"By removing Alok Verma from his position without giving him the chance to present his case, PM Modi has shown once again that he's too afraid of an investigation, either by an independent CBI director or by Parliament via JPC," tweeted Congress.
It is noted that Verma was on January 8, allowed to come back as CBI Director, albeit with his wings clipped, by the Supreme Court which gave a jolt to the Centre and the CVC by setting aside their orders divesting him of his powers and sending him on leave.
In its judgement, the top court said, "We further make it explicit that the role of Alok Kumar Verma as the Director, CBI during the interregnum and in terms of this order will be confined only to the exercise of the ongoing routine functions without any fresh initiative, having no major policy or institutional implications."
The committee, which met to review the government's earlier decision to send Verma on leave, remained inconclusive on Wednesday night after Kharge demanded to know specific information on some key issues.
Verma, who resumed office on Wednesday, had revoked most of the transfers done by M Nageshwar Rao, who was appointed as the interim CBI chief in his absence.