New Delhi, October 26: The Supreme Court, while hearing the pleas filed by Alok Verma and NGO Common Cause challenging his removal as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), today said that it will examine the matter and the inquiry will be completed in 10 days. The Apex Court has issued notices to government, CVC and others. While hearing the case, CJI Ranjan Gogoi said, "Matter to be listed after Diwali break, interim CBI boss M Nageswara Rao, will not take any policy decision." Supreme Court to Hear CBI Chief Alok Verma's Plea Tomorrow Challenging His 'Removal'.
Rao who has taken charge as the interim Director, will continue to be in the position till the matter is being heard. He has been asked to perform only 'routine task', till next hearing on November 12. His decisions will have to be submitted before the court in a sealed cover envelope. The CJI has ordered Court monitored CVC inquiry, under the supervision of retired Supreme Court judge AK Patnaik into charges against Verma and Rakesh Asthana. CBI Vs CBI: TMC Delhi to Join Congress Party in Protest Against Removal of Alok Verma.
The CBI, on Thursday, issued a clarification claiming that neither Verma nor Asthana has been removed of their charges. Both the top officials have been sent on a forced leave till the CVC adjudicates on the complaints registered against them. Congress is holding protests across the nation today against the removal of Verma. Delhi TMC has also joined INC in their protests.
Asthana and Verma were at loggerheads on several issues and accused each other of blocking several important cases to be heard. The CBI had recently filed an FIR against Asthana for allegedly accepting a bribe from a businessman, who was linked to Moin Akhtar Qureshi case. Asthana was heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was probing Qureshi's case.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 26, 2018 11:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).