WEB DESK
In a major verdict, the Supreme Court today reinstated Alok Verma as the CBI chief. However, the Court said, the committee constituted under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act will have to consider the matter afresh and that Mr. Verma cannot take any major policy decisions until then.
The court also said that any further decision against Verma would be taken by the high-powered committee which selects and appoints CBI director. In addition, it also set aside the appointment of M. Nageswara Rao as interim chief of the agency.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi pronounced the verdict after hearing Mr Verma petition against the Centre’s move to divest him as the chief of the probe agency. The bench had reserved its verdict in the matter on 6th December.
Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana were both sent on leave in October after the infighting between two became public.
On October 23, Mr Verma and Mr Asthana were asked by the government to proceed on leave after both accused each other of corruption and interference in investigations.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had on December 6 reserved its judgment after hearing arguments on behalf of Verma, the Centre and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The same bench delivered the judgment on Tuesday. It said that legislation exists and it intends to protect and insulate the office of the CBI director.
“The transfer of the director without the consent of the selection committee negates the legislative intent that is to ensure the independence of CBI,” the court said.
“Within a week, the selection committee, led by the PM, will meet and look into the aspect of whether Verma needs to be removed or not,” the court.