Caesar's wife must be above suspicion, says Arun Jaitley Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court's decision to open a fixed-term investigation against exiled IWC leader Alok Verma is "an extremely positive development," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today. , adding that it was in the best interest of the country that the truth be revealed. "All IWC officers, especially the first two, look like Caesar's wife and must be above suspicion," said Jaitley, justifying the government's decision to sack Mr. Verma. and his deputy, Rakesh Asthana, after being accused of bribing an unprecedented public feud.

"In order to ensure fairness, the Supreme Court has appointed a retired judge to oversee the investigation," said Jaitley, adding that the government "is only interested in Maintaining the professionalism, image and institutional integrity of the IWC ".

He said that recent developments had "eroded the reputation of the IWC" and that the government's decision was in "a broader national interest".

"The Supreme Court's decision to set a two-week deadline would further strengthen the criteria for fairness of investigations … and the appointment of a retired judge would ensure a fair investigation," he said. the Minister of Finance.

The phrase "Caesar's wife must be above all suspicion" – taken from a Shakespearian drama of the sixteenth century – is used to imply that people in high positions must have irreproachable integrity.

Mr. Jaitley's remarks came as opposition parties headed by Congress President Rahul Gandhi protested outside the IWC headquarters in Delhi against the government's decision and attempts to control and undermine the government. # 39; agency of inquiry. Mr. Gandhi and other leaders also entered a police station and surrendered.

Congress said that the "sinister attempt" by the Modi government to capture the IWC through "lackeys" had fallen to the water after the Supreme Court decision that also banned the acting director, Mr. Nageswar Rao. , to make a major political decision.

"The truth prevails in the Supreme Court: the Modi government's sinister attempt to capture CBI by lackeys falls flat, a slap in the face of tyrants who wanted to put the last nail in the independence of CBI." CVC can not play the role of pawn of the Modi government but would be monitored by a judge of the SC to act equitably, "said spokesman Randeep Surjewala on Twitter.

(With the contributions of PTI and IANS)