(FE)
In an unprecedented move, the high-powered committee led by the Prime Minister that met on Thursday to decide on the fate of CBI director Alok Verma decided to remove him from the post on charges of corruption and dereliction of duty.
The decision, which was based on a report by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) that listed eight charges against the agency’s chief, makes Verma the first CBI director to face such an action. Verma has been asked to take over as D-G, Delhi Fire Services and Home Guard.
The move came just a day after Verma returned to take charge based on a Supreme Court order after he was sent on leave on October 23, 2018, following a bitter spat with his No. 2 Rakesh Asthana. While both the officers were sent on leave, Verma won a favourable ruling in the SC and Asthana’s plea comes up for a verdict in the Delhi High Court on Friday.
The high-powered selection committee — it comprised the Prime Minister, Supreme Court Justice AK Sikri representing CJI Ranjan Gogoi, and leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge — took a majority decision to remove Verma, with Kharge opposing the move.
