New Delhi, November 29: Hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation Director Alok Verma case, the Supreme Court on Thursday said that it won't go into allegations and counter allegations by Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana against each other. Both the senior officers have leveled bribery cases against each other. The apex court adjourned the case till Wednesday.

However, Attorney General K K Venogapal while presenting the case stated that CVC has power of complete superintendence over the CBI and it isn't restricted to corruption cases. Earlier, representing Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge, senior advocate Kapil Sibal has said that the government wants to destroy the institution and they want to do it under the pretext of protecting it.  Interim CBI Director Accused of Contempt of Court, Agency Defends Him

Sibal in his argument had also said that the power to appoint will also have the power to suspend or dismiss. This is why whatever had to be done against Alok Verma, it had to go to the selection committee. This may tomorrow happen to CAG, CVC since similar provisions are for them, said Sibal. On a similar note, advocate Dushyant Dave had said, "Order could not have been passed without panel nod."

Earlier, the Supreme Court of India on resumed the hearing of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma’s case. Verma in his response had challenged to the Central Vigilance Commission’s (CVC) order which sent him on leave in the midnight, as he was accused by Special Director Rakesh Asthana of taking bribe in the Moin Qureshi’s money laundering case.

Presenting the case of Verma, senior lawyer Fali S Nariman argued that the selection committee should have transferred the CBI Director, which had appointed him and said that the probing agency chief must have a minimum period of service irrespective of his superannuation. Nariman even slammed the Central government’s decision pressed on Alok Verma.

After listening to the argument, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said, “We will first stick to the argument on whether an approval from the high-powered committee was a must before acting against Alok Verma.” After making this argument, the bench declared to resume the hearing post 2 pm.

Earlier, the bench, chaired by the CJI, had stopped senior advocate Dushyant Dave from arguing against Special CBI Director Rakesh Asthana in the case.

According to the sources, the apex court is most likely to consider the report of acting CBI director M Nageswara Rao, who had filed his response in a sealed cover in the court with regard to the decisions taken by him between October 23 to 26.

It is to be known that the bench on November 20 had slammed the advocates, as it found a breach of confidentiality over Verma’s response to the CVC report. It had said, “This court is not a platform for people to come and express what they want. This is a place for adjudication of legal rights. This is not right. We intend to set it right.” It also observed: “Our effort to maintain the respect of this institution is not being shared by everyone.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 29, 2018 03:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).