Mallikarjun Kharge moves Supreme Court challenging Alok Verma's forced leave

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday has filed a petition challenging the decision to send CBI director, Alok Verma on leave. Mr. Kharge states that the decision to send the director on leave pending an inquiry by the Central Vigilance Commission is 'illegal'. While addressing the media on Saturday, Mr. Kharge said:

"It's illegal as they removed CBI chief. They did not call the leader of opposition and CJI in that meeting before removing CBI chief. It's a CBI norm violation. How can they send him on leave? Have filed a petition . Let's see what will gonna happen"

In his petition, Kharge questioned the power of the Centre under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act to alter the two years fixed tenure given to a CBI director. He has termed the decision as 'illegal and malafide'.

Read: Supreme Court Rules ‘Inquiry Against CBI Director Alok Verma Must Be Completed Within Two Weeks’. Read The Order Copy Here

Earlier in October, the Supreme Court ruled that an inquiry against CBI Director Alok Verma must be completed within two weeks. The top court also said that interim CBI Director M Nageshwar Rao can’t take any policy decision till the court hears the matter again on November 12. Republic TV had accessed the 4-page order copy, wherein the apex court ordered a CVC inquiry under the supervision of retired Supreme Court Judge AK Patnaik.

“The Supreme Court while pronouncing the order said, "Inquiry in respect of the allegation made in the note of the Secretariat as regards the present CBI Director Alok Verma shall be completed by the CVC within a period of two weeks from today. The inquiry will be conducted by the retired SC judge AK Patnaik," stated CJI Ranjan Gogoi in his order.

"CVC will carry on the probe in 10 days under the supervision of a judge of this court. M Nageshwar Rao shall perform the only routine task. Change of investigating officer by CBI will be furnished in the sealed cover on November 12 before Supreme Court. Rao will not take any policy decisions till Supreme Court hears the matter again" he added.

Amid row between the number 1 and number 2 at CBI, the Centre on the recommendation of CVC appointed Joint Director M Nageshwar Rao as the interim CBI director, while sending Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana on leave, in an unprecedented move. Nageshwar Rao took charge as the CBI Interim Director, as per the sources.

Both Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana have been asked to step aside till investigation is complete, as per the recommendation of the CVC. The Superintendence of investigation is under CVC as per the law. The CVC had said that since there are charges and counter-charges, both have to step aside for a fair investigation. 

Earlier on Wednesday, several CBI officials, including Dy SP Ajay Bassi, the investigative officer in the Rakesh Asthana case, was transferred. Bassi was sent to Port Blair.