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Posted on: October 26, 2018 12:18:13
Alok Verma was relieved of all his responsibilities as director of the CBI by the government as part of a midnight move. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)
The Supreme Court on Friday gave the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) two weeks to complete its investigation against CBI director Alok Verma and announced the next court date on 12 November. A three-judge panel chaired by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that the HVAC probe, retired judge Patnaik AK, will monitor the investigation.
The Supreme Court heard a petition filed by IWC Director, Alok Verma, challenging the Center 's decision to remove him from office and sending him on leave, in the midst of an internal fight in the United States. investigative agency between him and the special director, Rakesh Awasthi. Verma had also challenged the appointment of Nageshwar Rao as acting chief.
The court deprived Rao of the power to make political decisions and ordered that he deal only with the operation of the IWC. All decisions made by Rao from the date of his appointment (October 23) as Acting Director to date must be submitted to the court under seal. This includes the transfer of investigators, most of whom were part of the Verma team, who were investigating allegations of corruption against Asthana.
The lead defender, MRS Nariman, appeared on behalf of Verma. He said that the director of the CBI had been appointed with the approval of a selection committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. Nariman cited Vineet Narain to support Verma's findings.
Click here for live updates on the CBI vs Center row
Prior to the hearing, Asthana also appealed to the court to challenge the "forced leave" granted by the center. The Supreme Court refused to deal with the plea, claiming that it had been filed too late.
Today's hearing focused on Verma's application, as well as another plea filed Thursday by the NGO, Common Cause. In her plea, the NGO sought the quashing of the Central Vigilance Commission's order of 23 October that she "illegally handed over" Verma from her work for "painful reasons". He also asked the court to quash the order issued by the Cabinet Appointments Committee, accusing Rao of temporarily charging Rao, and calling for the dismissal of the IWC's special director, Rakesh Asthana. , "in the light of serious corruption cases pending against him".
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In the meantime, the Trinamool Congress participated in the congress-organized events on Friday in front of the IWC headquarters and all its offices across the country, demanding the reinstatement of the IWC director and the apologies of the Prime Minister. The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, had previously stated that the CBI should be renamed BBI (Bureau of Investigation of the BJP).
A day before the hearing, the IWC said Thursday that Verma and Awasthi continued to hold their positions within the agency, while Rao temporarily assumed the director's duties while waiting for him. 39; investigation. Immediately after taking office, Rao ordered a reshuffle and dislodged agents, most of whom were part of the Verma team, investigating the charges of corruption against Asthana. Asthana, an officer of the Gujarat – owned Indian police force in 1984, reportedly requested a bribe of 5 rupees to a Hyderabad – based businessman through two middlemen for the first time. help to get clear of the Moin Qureshi case. On October 15, the IWC registered a RIP and arrested Devender Kumar, deputy police superintendent, in connection with the case. Countering Asthana's allegations against the head of the IWC compounded the situation.
A few hours after being sent on leave late Tuesday night, Verma appealed the court for an urgent hearing. In his petition, Verma, while emphasizing that the IWC is an independent and autonomous body, said: "There will inevitably be occasions when some investigations of senior officials will not go in the direction deemed desirable by the government. ".
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Four men from the intelligence bureau met Thursday morning in front of Verma's official residence, which provoked allegations of "weasel" from the opposition. Officials from the Interior Ministry, however, said the IB men were in "routine work" and not in "spying" on Verma. Read | Detention of four men from the intelligence office outside the home of Alok Verma, charge of stolen theft
The case described as "illegal" the temporary withdrawal of Verma by the center, alleging that this had been done to prevent an investigation under the Rafale agreement. Read | Seven key files on Alok Verma's table when he was asked to surrender
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