SC Monitor: No Evidence of Corruption Against Ousted CBI Chief

Justice AK Patnaik called the High Powered Committee led by PM Modi’s decision to remove Verma, ‘very, very hasty’.

Retired SC Judge, Justice AK Patnaik, who was supervising the CVC probe against former CBI Chief Alok Verma, called the decision of the High Powered Committee led by PM Modi to remove Verma, “very, very hasty”.

“Even if the Supreme Court said that the High Powered Committee must decide, the decision was very, very hasty. We are dealing with an institution here. They should have applied their mind thoroughly, especially as a Supreme Court judge was there. What the CVC says cannot be the final word.”

Justice A K Patnaik to The Indian Express

Of the three members of the selection panel, only Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge filed a dissent note questioning the findings of the CVC report against Verma. PM Modi and Justice AK Sikri however, voted for the removal of Alok Verma from the post of CBI director.

Justice Patnaik told The Indian Express that there was no evidence of corruption against Alok Verma.

“There was no evidence against Verma regarding corruption. The entire inquiry was held on (CBI Special Director Rakesh) Asthana’s complaint. I have said in my report that none of the findings in the CVC’s report are mine.”

Justice A K Patnaik to The Indian Express

According The Indian Express, Justice Patnaik has also written to CJI Ranjan Gogoi saying that Asthana’s statement was recorded while the observer was not present. “The CVC forwarded to me a statement dated 9.11.2018 purportedly signed by Shri Rakesh Asthana. I may clarify that this statement purportedly signed by Shri Rakesh Asthana was not made in my presence,” he said.