CBI director Alok Verma has been removed from his post after a high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comprising Leader of Opposition Mallikarajun Kharge and CJI nominated Justice Sikri met for over two hours on Thursday to decide his fate, making him the first chief in the history of the agency to face such action. Alok Verma has been posted as Director General Fire Service, Civil Defence, and Home Guards. Panel headed by PM Modi to hold second meeting over CBI Chief Alok Verma Issue
PM-led high powered committee in the meanwhile has given the charge to Nageshwar Rao as the interim CBI Boss till the appointment of a new director.
Mallikarjun Kharge was the only member in the high powered committee who gave a dissent note on the decision to sack Verma.
According to ANI, the dissent note submitted by Mallikarjun Kharge states ‘CVC report submitted to SC doesn’t arrive at any conclusive finding with respect to allegations against him’.
The dissent note submitted by Mallikarjun Kharge before the High Powered Committee Meeting called y'day pursuant to directions of SC in the matter of #AlokVerma; states 'CVC report submitted to SC doesn't arrive at any conclusive finding with respect to allegations against him'. pic.twitter.com/PK5NIzkDNQ
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2019
“By removing #AlokVerma 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 targeting Narendra Modi government over the issue.
By removing #AlokVerma 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.
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 10, 2019
Congress President Rahul Gandhi racked up BJP led government and PM Narendra Modi, he said in a tweet, “Fear is now rampaging through Mr. Modi’s mind. He can’t sleep. He stole 30,000Cr from the IAF and gave it to Anil Ambani. Sacking the CBI Chief #AlokVerma twice in a row, clearly shows that he is now a prisoner of his own lies. Satyamev Jayate.”
Fear is now rampaging through Mr Modi’s mind. He can’t sleep. He stole 30,000Cr from the IAF and gave it to Anil Ambani. Sacking the CBI Chief #AlokVerma twice in a row, clearly shows that he is now a prisoner of his own lies.
Satyamev Jayate.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 10, 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CJI nominated Justice Sikri and Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge attended the meeting on Wednesday that went inconclusive.
Earlier, Ranjan Gogoi opted out of panel saying that he was a part of the bench that gave the verdict on Tuesday on the issue. Following he nominated Justice Sikri.
Congress Leader Mallikarjun Kharge before the meeting documents, including an inquiry report by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) into the matter. “I have asked certain documents from the government concerning the matter including the CVC’s inquiry reports,” he told reporters on Thursday.
In a first reaction as quoted by The Indian Express, Alok Verma said he “tried to uphold the integrity of the institution while attempts were being made to destroy it”.
Earlier on Tuesday, Supreme Court reinstated CBI Chief Alok Verma setting aside CVC order dated October 23rd, 2017. Justice Kishan Kaul who pronounced the verdict on behalf of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said that the select committee will be called within seven days from Tuesday to take a decision on the basis of the findings of the CVC inquiry into the corruption allegations against the CBI director.
CBI Boss Alok Verma hours after assuming office sends a strong message to the government by reversing the cancel orders of his loyalists in the office. These transfer orders were initiated by the interim CBI chief M Nageshwar Rao on October 24, a day after Verma was sent to forced leave. DSP Devendra Kumar knocks Delhi HC challenging CBI Chief Alok Verma’s order of revoking transfer orders
Verma had taken the decision after rounds of meeting with his close aides at CBI Headquarters on Wednesday.
Alok Verma had moved to top Court sought to quash of three orders of October 23, 2018 — one by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and two by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), as being without jurisdiction and in violation of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.