Millat News Network,New Delhi: CBI director Alok Verma has been removed from his post after a high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met for over two hours on Thursday to decide his fate, making him the first chief in the history of the agency to face such action. Verma’s tenure as CBI chief was till January 31.
The meeting was also attended by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Justice A K Sikri, who was nominated by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi to represent him. Kharge was the only member who gave a dissent note on the decision to oust Verma.
PTI quoted officials as saying that Verma, a 1979-batch AGMUT cadre IPS officer, was removed on charges of corruption and dereliction of duty and is likely to be posted in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). READ IN MALAYALAM
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The high-powered selection committee had also met on Wednesday night but no decision was reached. Ahead of Thursday’s meeting, Kharge said he had sought documents, including the inquiry report by the Central Vigilance Commission into the matter.
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“I have asked for certain documents from the government concerning the matter including the CVC’s enquiry reports,” PTI quoted Kharge as saying. He said that Verma should also be given an opportunity to appear before the committee and represent his case.
Verma was reinstated by a Supreme Court order after he was sent on forced leave by the government amid a bitter spat with Special Director Rakesh Asthana.
The court, however, directed Verma not to take any policy decisions till the statutory committee met decided further on the matter.
Hours after resuming charge, Verma on Wednesday reinstated “with immediate effect” key officers considered close to him who were moved out after he was sent on leave last October.
