Oct 26, 2018
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Central Vigilance Commission, CVC, to complete within two weeks its inquiry into allegations against CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma.The Apex court also barred interim director M Nageswara Rao from taking any major policy decision and said decisions taken by him since October 23 till date shall not be implemented.
The court said that all decisions taken by Rao be placed before it in a sealed cover. It ordered that the inquiry will be conducted under the supervision of former Supreme Court judge A K Patnaik.
Hearing Verma’s plea challenging the government’s decision to divest him of his duties and send him on leave, the court also sought a response from the CVC and the Centre.
It said, the retired judge will supervise the CVC inquiry against Verma because of the importance of the case without casting aspersions on any constitutional or statutory authority.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph posted the next date of hearing on 12th November.
Reacting to the order, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that Supreme Court’s order is a positive move and it will ensure fairness.
Speaking to media in New Delhi, Mr Jaitley expressed hope that after an impartial probe, the truth will come out.
Mr Jailtey said, the government has no interest for or against any individual. The Minister said, Government is interested in maintaining professionalism, image and constitutional integrity of CBI.
He said, the CVC inquiry is absolutely fair and the step was taken in the larger interest.
Meanwhile, Congress President Rahul Gandhi led a protest against the government action on CBI in front of agency’s headquarters in New Delhi.
He linked the action against Verma to alleged irregularities in Rafale aircraft deal. The Congress President also courted arrest during the protest.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh accused the Congress of raising non-issue with regard to government’s action on CBI officers.
Talking to media in New Delhi, Mr. Singh alleged that Congress does not have any issue of public importance to raise and that is why it is misleading people by dragging the CBI episode.
He said the Supreme Court has given an order on the plea related to sending CBI Director Alok Verma on leave. Mr Rajnath Singh said the investigation in the matter is on and one should wait for the report.
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Courtesy