The Centre on Wednesday defended in the Supreme Court its decision to divest the powers of CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana, saying it was done to restore the confidence of the public in the nation’s premier probe agency.
Attorney-General K.K. Venugopal said the infighting among the top CBI officials had exposed the agency to ridicule after it came out in public domain. He said the spat between the top officials had created an “extraordinary and unprecedented” situation due to which the government had to step in.
“The government acted within its jurisdiction,” Mr. Venugopal told a Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S.K. Kaul and K.M. Joseph which had on previous hearing questioned whether the government had the power to divest the CBI Director of his duties.
ADVERTISEMENT
“If the government had not stepped in, God knows where this spat between the top officials at CBI may have ended,” the Attorney-General said. The A-G clarified that the action against the CBI Director did not amount to transfer and only his functions had been withdrawn. “Calling it a transfer is unjustified,” he said, adding that Mr. Verma was retaining his designation, bungalow, and other benefits.
During the day, Mr. Venugopal concluded his arguments following which Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), began making the submissions.
The Supreme Court will continue hearing the case on Thursday. It was hearing Mr. Verma’s plea challenging the government’s decision to divest him of his powers as CBI chief and sending him on leave.
ADVERTISEMENT
Plea for probe
The top court is also collectively hearing another petition by NGO Common Cause which has sought a probe against CBI officers including Mr. Asthana.
Earlier, the CVC had submitted its preliminary enquiry report into allegations against Mr. Verma in a sealed cover.