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HS Bedi committee probe: No religious targeting, no political involvement in Gujarat encounters, says report

OpIndia Staff
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HS Bedi committee probe: No religious targeting, no political involvement in Gujarat encounters, says report

The report of the Supreme Court appointed HS Bedi committee investigating the police encounters in Gujarat state between 2002 and 2006 has not found any evidence of involvement by the state government or high officials at that time. According to a report in the Economic Times, the report also states that there was no systematic targetting or religious angles involved in those encounters either.

As per the report, the committee stated before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, “There was no pattern or religious angle or systematic targeting of minorities in these encounters. In fact, people killed were from different communities and a majority of them had criminal records”. It also added, “There were also cases of deaths of Hindus and Sikhs. These cases were of individuals who came from Kerala, Garhwal, UP, and MP, and a local Sikh from Gujarat was also killed.”

The HS Bedi committee report also clears senior police officer DG Vanzara of any involvement in fake encounters. Though it mentions that he “tried to sidetrack the investigations”.

However, the report mentions that three of the encounters during the 2002-06 period were fake. The committee report mentions that as per evidence and witness statements, three individuals named Samir Khan, Haji Ismail, and Kasim Jaffer were killed in fake encounters.

It is notable here that in 2012, an SC bench comprising of Justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Desai had appointed retired SC judge Justice HS Bedi as the chairman of the committee investigating all encounter deaths in Gujarat from 2002-06. The SC order had come after journalist BG Verghese and lyricist Javed Akhtar approached the top court with two PIL seeking an independent probe into the encounter deaths.

The PILs, filed by Prashant Bhushan, had alleged that there were 22 fake encounters in Gujarat between 2002-06. Javed Akhtar’s PIL also reportedly alleged that the same police team that killed Sohrabiddin and his wife Kausar, was involved in the fake encounter of Sameer Khan too.

A special CBI court had recently acquitted all accused in the Sohrabuddin case, stating that there is no substantial evidence to suggest that the encounters were fake and done through a conspiracy.

The Gujarat government had requested the apex court not to share the report with the petitioners, which the SC bench led by CJI Gogoi declined. Advocate Rajat Nair, who was representing the Gujarat state in the solicitor general’s absence, stated that sharing the report with the media will prejudice the case against the accused as well as the victims.

The apex court reportedly replied that it is yet to decide on accepting the 225-page report but it can be shared.

Protests break out outside the Supreme Court on Thursday due to delay in hearing Ram Mandir case

OpIndia Staff
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Protests break out outside the Supreme Court on Thursday due to delay in hearing Ram Mandir case

Protests broke outside the Supreme Court yesterday after the newly formed Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi adjourned the hearing in the Ram Mandir case till January 29.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDAKD5q65UI] The hearing in the Ram Mandir case was adjourned once again after Justice U U Lalit who was on the Constitution Bench which was to hear the case the recused himself form the case. Justice Lalit withdrew from the case after advocate Rajeev Dhavan who represents a Muslim party in the case brought to the notice of the Court that Justice Lalit had represented former UP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh in a criminal case related to the dispute in 1994 when he was a lawyer. CJI Gogoi later announced that Justice Lalit had withdrawn from the case despite there being no relation between the merits of the Kalyan Singh case and the merits of the Ayodhya Case. A new Bench will now be constituted before the next hearing of the case at the end of the month.

The patience of people seems to be wearing out as the hearing in the case has been getting adjourned due to some reason or the other for a long time. Today when the hearing was adjourned again, a number of people gathered outside the Supreme Court to protest against the delay.

The court had adjourned the hearing in the matter till January 4 in October last year. On January 4, the court had said that the matter will be heard by an appropriate bench which will be constituted. On January 8, the court had formed a Constitution Bench to commence hearing in the case from January 10.

Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, leakage and fabrication of documents and more: Read the findings of CVC report against Alok Verma

Nupur J Sharma
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Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, leakage and fabrication of documents and more: Read the findings of CVC report against Alok Verma

CBI Director Alok Verma has been ousted from his post by a High Powered Committee comprising of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Justice Sikri (nominee by Chief Justice Gogoi) and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. The ouster was owing to the corruption charges against Alok Verma. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had submitted a report on 9th January 2019 after investigating the complaint against Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana.

The CVC report had some serious allegations against Alok Verma, the now-ousted CBI Director.

The CVC report says that after the complaint was received by CVC on 31st August 2018, and then, the CVC had asked for relevant records from CBI on 11th September 2018, to be produced before 14th September 2018. However, the records were never produced before the CVC after several reminders. The report says that the documents were not received by the CVC till 23rd October 2018.

The CVC report says that Alok Verma was divested of his duties because of the circumstances prevailing in the CBI including non-co-operation, non-compliance and wilful obstruction to the inquiry being conducted. Alok Verma was divested vide an order issued on 23rd October 2018 after several reminders to produce the documents on 14th September 2018, 19th September 2018, 24th September 2018 and 22nd October 2018.

The report was submitted to the Court on 12th November 2018 after Alok Verma vide a Writ Petition challenged the CVC and DoPT order.

The summary findings of the CVC report, which has been acquired by OpIndia, on the allegations against Alok Verma are as follows:

Moin Qureshi case

In the Moin Qureshi case, the CVC report says that prima facie, it is established that Alok Verma’s conduct was suspicious in the case. However, there is no direct evidence regarding the allegation that Verma accepted Rs. 2 crores as bribe from Satish Sana. The CVC report said that in the light of the circumstantial evidence, the full truth of the matter would come out if a thorough criminal investigation is ordered by the Court.

IRCTC case

The CVC report said that it can be reasonably concluded that Alok Verma excluded a suspect from the FIR in the IRCTC case. The report says that Alok Verma deliberately excluded the name of key conspirator Rakesh Saxena, Director, IRCTC from the FIR for reasons ‘best known to him’. The report said, “this amounts to serious misconduct and warrants disciplinary action and other actions”. However, the report said that allegation that Verma tried to call off searches at Patna is not substantiated yet.

Transfer of Bank fraud case

This case relates to the Bank fraud case of Rajiv Singh, the then JD of CBI. There was an inordinate delay in finalising the Investigative Report by CBI and because of the delay, it appears to have led to the allegation that Alok Verma was favouring Rajiv Singh. The transfer of SIR related to Singh by Alok Verma is unsubstantiated.

Not taking action on ‘certain’ intelligence inputs

This allegation was not substantiated.

Illegal gratification in ongoing preliminary enquiry against land acquisition in Haryana

The CVC report said that the inquiry into this allegation requires sustained effort and due to the paucity of time, this allegation could not be looked into except perusal of the file. It should be remembered here that the Court had given CVC only two weeks to complete its investigation into the charges.

Smuggling of Gold at Delhi Airport

This allegation according to the CVC is partially substantiated. It says that Alok Verma as CP Delhi did not take Vigilance Action against Raj Kumar ACP in spite of noticing grave misconduct.

Helping cattle smugglers

The allegation was not substantiated.

Attempts to induct tainted officers into CBI

This allegation was fully substantiated. Alok Verma tried to induct R P Upadhyay and Rajeev Krishna.

Undue interference in cases

Interference in the Lucknow case was unsubstantiated. In the Chandigarh case (Gurnam Singh case) the allegation was party substantiated and part of the allegation required further detailed investigation said the CVC in its report.

Fabrication of document

The CVC report says, “During the inquiry, while examining the representation of the Special Director it was noticed that the secret note dated 21st October 2017 placed before the Selection Committee appears to be fabricated document in as much as the author of the document (AIG P) stated the document was given to him by the Director”.

The CVC report goes on to say that the original document prepared by the DIG SU did ‘not contain the damaging paras” and the authorship of the damaging paras by any authorised person is not established (para 10 or Inquiry Report).

The CVC report states, “This casts serious doubts about the integrity of Alok Verma who placed the said document before the Committee and later did not submit any report and documents on the allegations contained in the said “Secret Note” as repeatedly requested by the Commission”.

This damning observation by the CVC against Alok Verma comes after Rakesh Asthana, Special Director, CBI expressed apprehension that he was being implicated in false cases by the CBI at the instance of Director, CBI.

Other complaints during the pendency of writ petition before Court

The CVC report says that while Alok Verma’s writ petition was pending before the Supreme Court, several other complaints were also received by the CVC against Alok Verma. Sudhanshu Khare, Additional SP, CBI Lucknow and others alleged:

  1. Protection of accused persons from legal punishment and criminal prosecution in NHRM scam.
  2. Protecting the officers of UP Police in Rajesh Sahni suicide case by refusing the take up the investigation in the case.
  3. Protecting the FIR named accused Ranjit Singh and Abhishek Singh in Bank Fraud case.
  4. Cover up in leakage of internal emails on Nirav Modi in 13,000 crore PNB scam.
  5. Dilution of Look Out Circular regarding accused Vijay Mallya in Bank Fraud Case.
  6. Dilution of Look Out Circular regarding accused C Sivasankaran (former owner of Aircel) in IDBI Bank Fraud Case.

The CVC report states that at the time of producing the report, they had asked the CBI to produce documents and records relating to the above-mentioned cases. However, the CBI produced files concerning dilution of LOC against Vijay Mallya only. The other documents in respect to the remaining cases are yet to be produced. CVC says the matter is under inquiry.

In the final observations, the Central Vigilance Committee makes the following observations:

  1. Some of the allegations contained in the complaint forwarded by the Cabinet Secretary under investigation are prima facie established and they are of very grave nature impacting on the integrity of the officer concerned and the institution.
  2. Some of the allegations require further detailed investigation which will not be possible with Alok Verma heading the same organisation which is to conduct such investigation.
  3. Instances of wilful non-production of records and non-co-operation with the Commission in the exercise of its function.
  4. The production of fabricated/non-genuine documents before the Selection Committee which reflects complete lack of integrity and fairness.
  5. Further grave allegations in the complaint received post-submission of the Inquiry Report to the Supreme Court is under inquiry.
  6. An environment of hostility and faction feud in CBI leading to potential loss of reputation/credibility, the Commission, after due-deliberation is of the considered view that the continuance of Alok Verma as Director CBI is not appropriate and is not in the interest of the integrity and reputation of the CBI.

The allegations made in the CVC report are certainly grave, primarily about high profile cases like in the case of Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, IRCTC case and supposed framing of Rakesh Asthana with a fabricated document.

Reportedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Justice Sikri, after reading the CVC report voted to oust Alok Verma, however, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge sent a dissenting note opposing the ousting of Alok Verma.

Congress leader Kharge argued that the Central Vigilance Commission report lacked “substantial findings” against him. He also said Alok Verma’s tenure should be extended since he lost 77 days after being “illegally’ transferred”. Kharge also demanded that an “independent inquiry” into the removal of Alok Verma.

Kharge had also brought up the Rafale bogey to say that Alok Verma was ousted because he wanted to “investigate” the Rafale deal which got a clean chit by the Supreme Court. However, this bogey is useless, considering the CBI cannot investigate defence deals unless the Court or the Government orders one. There were also reports that emerged that the CBI was all set to file a corruption case against Alok Verma.

NIA investigation in the Amroha ISIS-inspired terror module case reveals Kashmir connection

OpIndia Staff
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NIA investigation in the Amroha ISIS-inspired terror module case reveals Kashmir connection

According to a report of Times of India, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the ongoing investigation in the Amroha ISIS-inspired module case has found that the founder of the module Mufti Mohammad Suhail alias Hazrath had travelled to Tral, Rajouri and Bandipora in Kashmir twice last year. According to the agency, Hazrath travelled to these places to seek arms training from a Pakistani trained Mujahideen (terrorist).

The information was given to the NIA by Suhail’s close aid Saqib Iftekar during interrogation. Iftekar who used to work as an Imam at Jama Masjid in Baksar, Uttar Pradesh allegedly helped the module in procuring weapons to carry out attacks in North India. Saqib is reported to have travelled to South Kashmir in May and August last year and had several meetings for religious purposes in Rajouri and Bandipora.

He later met a Mufti in Tral along with his accomplice to get a meeting arranged with a Mujahideen. Whether the meeting with the terrorist actually took place or not is still being verified. According to an official, “Saqib told this Kashmiri Mufti about his plans to get training from a Kashmiri Mujahid as they are trained in arms, bombs and attack government officials. The Kashmiri Mufti informed him that he knows such person”.

Two more members of the terrorist module, Zubair Malik and Anas Yunus have made some revelations. Zubair Malik, a student of BA in Delhi University told the NIA that he bought similar smartphones with removable batteries to make calls. “They bought similar smartphones with detachable batteries and every time they made a call or had a chat, they were asked to remove the batteries so that their phones cannot be tracked”, Malik said. Anas Yunus revealed that he used to create a new Telegram group every day to discuss their plans which he would delete every night.

The ISIS-inspired Amroha terrorist module was busted by the NIA in a joint operation with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad in December last year. The Investigating Agencies have conducted raids at several places since then and the investigation is still going on. Eleven arrests have been made in the case so far.

Centre pulls up state governments for poor implementation of PM Awas Yojana in rural areas

OpIndia Staff
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Centre pulls up state governments for poor implementation of PM Awas Yojana in rural areas

The centre has raised its concerns via a letter to the states, stating that the “most deserving” intended beneficiaries have yet to get a house under its flagship rural housing scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (rural).

In order to empower people to get their own homes, Prime Minister Modi had announced a comprehensive ana progressive mission, ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Housing for All’ on 17 June, 2015. This scheme had two components, one targeting the urban regions- PMAY-U and the other for the rural/gramin areas- PMAY-G.

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) has been devised in line with Government’s commitment of providing ‘Housing for All’ by 2022 in the rural areas. The scheme aims at providing a pucca house with basic amenities to all houseless householder living in kutcha and dilapidated houses by 2022.

In its letter, the Rural Development Ministry stated that out of nearly 4,72,000 landless people in the country identified under the PM Awas Yojana (Rural), only 12% or 56,694 have got land from the respective state governments to build a house.

Though as of now, close to 6.5 million houses have been finished as part of the scheme, the centre is still short of achieving the 10 million target it set to attain by March 31.

The ministry in its letter which was a follow-up to a previous letter which was sent by Union Rural Development Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar, in September 2018 reiterated that “Providing land to landless beneficiaries is crucial in achieving the target of construction of one crore houses. These landless beneficiaries are the most deserving PMAY-G beneficiaries.”

It further stated how while a few states had taken the initiative to implement the program, the overall progress in the nation was still ‘far from satisfactory’.

As per annexures attached with the letter, states including Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra and Odisha are amongst the bad performers as they have provided land to just 1% of the targeted people until July 27, 2018, West Bengal has been seen as the worst performing state as it has not yet provided land to a single person under the scheme.

Madhya Pradesh: School headmaster in Jabalpur suspended for calling CM Kamal Nath a dacoit

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: School headmaster in Jabalpur suspended for calling CM Kamal Nath a dacoit

Mukesh Tiwari, the headmaster of a government-run school in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur has been suspended over derogatory remarks against CM Kamal Nath. As per reports, Tiwari, who is the headmaster of the Kanistha Buniyadi Government School in Jabalpur, made some derogatory remarks against the CM.

A video of the headmaster’s remarks has gone viral over social media. In the video, Tiwari is seen saying “Agar Shivraj Singh — hain toh Kamal Nath Daaku (dacoit) hai”.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1C29NbtbTE]

As per reports, the headmaster allegedly made these comments at a public event recently. Video clips of the statement have gone viral on social media. Congress leaders with state spokesperson Ayodhya Tiwari reportedly met Jabalpur collector Chhavi Bharadwaj demanding action against the headmaster.

As per reports, collector Chhavi Bharadwaj has ordered the suspension of the headmaster. The collector’s order reportedly states that prima facie, the headmaster has been found violating the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (conducts) rules.

The Accidental Prime Minister is a reminder of the ‘Maa-Bete ki sarkar’ that was

OpIndia Staff
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The Accidental Prime Minister is a reminder of the ‘Maa-Bete ki sarkar’ that was

The Accidental Prime Minister starring Anupam Kher in the lead role is based on the book of the same title written by Sanjaya Baru, former media advisor to Dr Manmohan Singh during the UPA 1. The film, which released on 11th January takes us through the ten-year journey in about two hours, acting as a ready reckoner, lest we forget.

It was easy to see why Congress didn’t want The Accidental Prime Minister to release without them playing super-censor. Not because the movie distorted history, but because it depicts incidents exactly how they happened in those years – when the Indian cricket team were the World Champions and Arvind Kejriwal sounded sane.

The UPA era

Politicians in this country have often relied on the short memory of the voters. And Congress, too, is hopeful that Indians have forgotten the scam-tainted UPA years. But The Accidental Prime Minister reminds the viewers, who are also voters, of those years. And that is why Congress was up against arms. From the blackmailing of Left parties regarding the nuclear deal to the Radia tapes to Kapil Sibal’s zero loss theory, the film touches upon all these topics.

The movie reminds us how 10, Janpath sneakily tried to be the authoritative figure by creating the farce called National Advisory Council (NAC). The NAC was formed on 4th June 2004, soon after Dr Singh took oath, to advice the PM on. Sonia Gandhi served as its chairperson. She was also the chairperson of the UPA alliance and Congress party president.

How the portfolios were allotted. How The Family Whisperer Ahmed Patel was busy ‘fixing’ things. If Chidambaram wants Finance Ministry, Patel gets it done. If former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao should not be cremated in Delhi, Patel will get his mortal remains to Hyderabad for last rites, even if Rao had no family there. The man Friday will ensure The Family does not face discomfort.

The acting

Anupam Kher fits well into the role of Dr Manmohan Singh. He mimicks Dr Singh’s mannerisms quite well and does not reduce him to a caricature. The film makes the viewers aware of how Dr Singh deserves the history to be kinder to him than the media, but his silence has left a dent in his well-intentioned decisions.

Arjun Mathur, who plays the role of Rahul Gandhi acts well as the lost boy who is forced into the ‘family business’ under family pressure. His complete lack of regard for the Prime Minister’s post where he walks in to the PMO without appointment shows how The Family felt entitled. Suzanne Bernert as Sonia Gandhi fits well, with the stony expressions. It was also good to see Akshaye Khanna as Sanjaya Baru on the big screen after quite long.

One particular scene that stands out is the one where the Left parties arm-twisted Dr Singh out of the nuclear deal. The one which shows how the opposition became an ally for the nation but the ally became opposition for power.

Why should you watch The Accidental Prime Minister

As someone who saw the movie as a regular cinemagoer and not a film critic, I’d highly recommend the film because it is a well-made movie. A movie based on real-life incidents where most of the characters are based on real, powerful people from the power corridor, it does take fair amount of courage. As the election season heats up, The Accidental Prime Minister is definitely a must-watch. Because those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.

Mamata Banerjee pulls West Bengal out of Ayushman Bharat scheme, accuses Modi of taking full credit

OpIndia Staff
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Mamata Banerjee pulls West Bengal out of Ayushman Bharat scheme, accuses Modi of taking full credit

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to pull out from Centre’s ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme, accusing PM Modi of taking full credit for the scheme and ignoring State’s contribution. The CM while addressing a public meet on Thursday accused Prime Minister Modi of using government post offices for party’s work. She said, “He is sending letters to people across Bengal through post offices claiming that they are behind this health scheme.”


She said that her State will not contribute to the Ayushman Bharat scheme. “We will no longer contribute to Ayushman Bharat. Why should we contribute to Ayushman Bharat if the Prime Minister’s face is on the letterhead with a picture of lotus, instead of the symbol of the Indian government,” she added. She levelled the allegation of spreading a culture of loot on the Modi government. “They finished the CBI, the RBI, the banks and are promoting the culture of loot,” the CM said.

Attacking the Prime Minister she said, “He (the Prime Minister) gives such speeches. But he can’t speak English. He uses teleprompters. Media knows. We know. You just see the screen, read and speak…That’s a teleprompter. We don’t use all that”.

Apparently, Banerjee does not want the Central government to be given the credit for any of the Central government schemes. She has even changed the names of various Central government schemes including Ajeevika (National Rural Livelihood Mission) renaming it as Anandadhara (State Rural Livelihood Mission), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) renaming it as Banglar Griha Prakalpa and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao renaming as Kanyashree.

With removal of CBI director, SC has slammed the Rafale conspiracy theorists for the second time

OpIndia Staff
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With removal of CBI director, SC has slammed the Rafale conspiracy theorists for the second time

The more Rahul Gandhi repeats his lies about the Rafale deal, the more he gets rebutted by the apex court of the country. The Congress president has been alleging that Modi government had sent CBI Director Alok Verma on leave because he was preparing to investigate the Rafale deal. In the petition against the government’s decision, lawyer Prashant Bhushan had made the same argument in the Supreme Court. But the today’s decision of the high powered committee to finally remove Alok Verma from the post of CBI has proved that the allegations against Verma are very serious in nature. It must be noted that Justice A K Sikri was part of the 3-member committee, other than PM Modi and Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.

According to reports, Justice Sikri said that the charges of corruption against Alok Verma were serious and required further probe. These remarks were made on the basis of CVC report on probe on charges against Verma. Although this was not a court case, a sitting Supreme Court judge making such comments is as good as a comment from the top court, as the remarks were based on a report that has been submitted to the court. CVC has been saying that there are serious allegations against the CBI director and he was not cooperating in the investigation against him. The government had sent Verma on leave on the recommendations of CVC, to ensure a fair probe.

Yesterday when the committee met, Kharge wanted to know whether Verma was probing the Rafale deal. In the dissent note that he provided today, he didn’t mention anything about it, which shows that Verma was not doing any probe on the Rafale deal, and Rahul Gandhi was lying while making the claim.

It may be noted that the supreme court had reinstated Verma on 8th January only on procedural grounds, not on basis of allegations against him or proof of any investigation on Rafale he may be conducting.

Before this, the apex court had rejected to order a probe into the Rafale deal, as Rahul Gandhi and others have been demanding. The court had said that there is no doubt in the process of placing an order for 36 Rafale jets, and said there was no proof of any commercial favouritism in the deal. The Supreme Court order had said that the perception of a few individuals can be the basis of interference in the process. Before this, the court had refused to issue a notice to the government on the Rafale petitions, and had allegations “appear to be grossly inadequate”. The court had asked the government to provide details of the Rafale deal only to satisfy itself.

The outrageous allegations Rahul Gandhi has been making against the Rafale deal has been comprehensively refuted several times. His claim that Narendra Modi has given Anil Ambani ₹30,000 crore from the deal has absolutely no basis, as facts show that Reliance, or any other Indian company, is not even involved in manufacturing the Rafale jet. The plane is being completely manufactured by Dassault in France. The Supreme Court had gone into these facts and said that it is satisfied with the offset clause in the deal.

With Justice Sikri saying that Alok Verma should be removed from the post of CBI director, it is the second time the Supreme Court judges have delivered a blow to the conspiracy theorists about the Rafale deal. Earlier the court said there is no wrongdoing in the Rafale deal, and now a judge of the court has indicated CBI was not investigating the Rafale deal, which anyway it can’t do without the sanction of the central government or a court.

Corruption case to be filed against ousted CBI Director Alok Verma : Reports

OpIndia Staff
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Corruption case to be filed against ousted CBI Director Alok Verma : Reports

A day after CBI director Alok Verma resumed his duties after Supreme Court had reinstated him putting aside the decision of the union government to send him on leave, the high powered committee constituted to look into his fate has decided to remove him from the post. Now, news has emerged that CBI might file a corruption case against ousted CBI boss Alok Verma.

We reported how Mr Nageshwar Rao has now taken over the responsibility as the Director of CBI.

Now, Republic TV has reported that the CBI headed by Nageshwar Rao is all set to file a corruption case against Alok Verma.


The High Powered Committee comprising of Prime Minister Modi, LoP Mallikarjun Kharge and Justice Sikri have decided that the allegations against Alok Verma are serious. The charges against him are that of blocking investigation and that of accepting bribes to the tunes of Rs. 2 crores.

There were eight counts of charges against him in the CVC report presented before the Committee also comprising Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Justice A K Sikri, appointed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as his nominee. The decision for the removal was taken by a majority with Kharge opposing the move.

Congress including their media friends had alleged that Alok Verma is being removed because he was initiating a probe against Rafale. However, these were wishful speculations by vested interests. The Rafale case got a clean chit by the Supreme Court and legally, the CBI cannot initiate a probe against a Defence Deal.

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