The CVC has been directed by the Supreme Court to complete its enquiry against Alok Verma, who has been divested of his powers as CBI Director by CVC and the central government, within two weeks under the supervision of former Supreme Court Judge A.K. Patnaik. Till then, Nageshwar Rao IPS, the interim director of CBI has been directed not to take any policy decisions.
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The Supreme Court was hearing the petition filed by Alok Verma and PIL filed by the FCRA NGO Common Cause against the orders of the CVC and the central government divesting Verma of his powers.
Senior Advocate Fali S Nariman, appearing for Alok Verma, argued that the CBI Director cannot be taken off charge without the approval of a committee comprising of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India while contending that the decision goes against the rule of fixed tenures of two years for a CBI Director.
As we have reported earlier, the NGO Common Cause which has Prashant Bhushan and Paranjoy Guha Thakurta in its governing council among others had sought a court-monitored SIT investigation into the alleged malpractices within the CBI.
The CBI has been mired in controversy after reports emerged that the agency had raided its own headquarters after which the government had sent both senior CBI officials Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana, perceived to be responsible for the on-going ‘turf war’, on leave. The decision of the government, in turn, triggered a massive controversy after the Congress party came out in support of Verma.