The Supreme Court, on 16 November, said it will give the report by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to CBI Director Alok Verma in a sealed cover, so the central agency's chief can file his response. The court said it can take a decision after Verma has responded to the CVC report.
Although the top court gave the CVC more time to probe charges against Verma, it refused to give the inquiry report to CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana's lawyer.
The CBI has been been embattled in a bitter feud between its top leadership, Verma and Asthana, who have levelled allegations of bribery and corruption against each other. The Centre sent the CBI chief and his deputy on leave as the controversy escalated.
- CBI Chief Alok Verma has to submit his response by 1pm on 19 November
- SC says CVC report on Alok Verma should be given to Attorney General and Solicitor General.
- In October, SC had directed CVC to probe allegations against CBI Director Alok Verma in two weeks.
- M Nageshwar Rao will remain the interim CBI director, but can’t take policy decisions, SC had previously ordered.
- Centre had sent Director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana on leave on 24 October.
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Supreme Court Order
The SC ordered, “We have perused the report of the CVC. We are of the view that, at this stage, and before taking any decision thereon a copy of the report of the CVC should be furnished by the Registry of this Court, in sealed cover, to the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner – Alok Kumar Verma. We order accordingly. It will be open for the petitioner in writ petition to file his response to the said report of the CVC again in sealed cover.”
Uncomplimentary on Some Charges Against Verma: SC on CVC Report
The top court observed during the hearing that the CVC report is "very uncomplimentary" on some charges against Verma and said a further probe was needed on some aspects.
SC Gives CVC Report to Alok Verma, Asks Him to Respond by Monday
The Supreme Court says CBI Director Alok Verma should be given the CVC report on the allegations against him in a sealed cover and asks him to file his response by Monday. It will take up the matter on Tuesday.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the Central Vigilance Commission report should also be given to Attorney General KK Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The court turned down Special CBI Director Rakesh Asthana's request that the CVC report be provided to him as well.
Alok Verma Likely to Get a Clean Chit: Report
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has found no evidence of corruption allegations levelled by Rakesh Asthana against CBI chief Alok Verma, NDTV reported. The CVC reportedly did not find tracks of any illegal transactions linked to Verma.
Source: NDTV