Two days after the Supreme Court reinstated Alok Verma as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director, a high-powered select committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sacked him from the investigative agency on Thursday, January 10.
The committee comprising of Modi, Justice AK Sikri and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge announced the decision after their meeting today. Reports suggest that Kharge gave a note of dissent; however, Modi and Sikri recommended Verma’s transfer. Verma has now been appointed as Director General (DG) of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards.
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After the inconclusive meeting on Wednesday, January 9, reports suggested that Kharge sought the Central Vigilance Commission report based on which Verma was ousted last year. The Congress leader also insisted on hearing Verma’s response to the report.
The apex court had quashed the Modi government’s “overnight” order issued on October 23, 2018, divesting Verma of his powers and sending him on leave. However, the court had directed the select committee to decide the fate of Verma. Opposition parties alleged that the Modi government removed him because he wanted to initiate a probe into the Rafale deal.
In light of the prime minister hurriedly ousting Verma from the CBI and giving the charge to Nageshwar Rao again, the allegations of the Opposition cannot be ignored.
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