Expelled CBI chief Alok Verma was reinstated by the Supreme Court of India today. This, three months after the government of India deprived him of powers and sent him on a forced leave.
The SC verdict is a huge setback to the government of India. The SC cancelled the midnight removal order of CBI chief Alok Verma and installed as an interim chief.
Alok Verma can now go back to his office but cannot take any major policy decisions for now. The Supreme court asked the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of India to meet and decide on his status in seven days time.
Mr. Verma was represented by senior lawyer Fali Nariman. He had challenged the government’s move arguing that the CBI chief has a fixed two year term and can be removed only by the high-powered committee (comprises of PM, CJI and leader of opposition).
Opposition parties feel partially vindicated, as the struggle for his powers will continue. The opposition parties slammed the governments dictatorial tactics.
Mr Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana, the CBI’s top two officers, were both sent on leave in October 2018 after a public feud between them. The CBI Director Verma was accused by his junior Mr Asthana of taking bribe from a businessman.
(The Pigeon Express Opinion – The government of India time and again has attacked the institution of India. This verdict of course is a huge loss to the Modi government. However allegations of corruption charges between CBI 1 and 2 must also be investigated. There can’t be any fair investigation if both are the helm of affairs at the CBI.)