CBI vs CBI: CVC files preliminary probe report in sealed cover in SC

New Delhi, November 12

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on Monday filed its preliminary probe report relating to CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma in a sealed cover in the Supreme Court.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SK Kaul took the report on record and fixed the matter for next hearing on November 16.

During the hearing, interim CBI Director M Nageswar Rao also filed report on decisions taken by him since October 23 to 26, when the apex court had ordered the probe.

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CVC, told the court that former apex court judge AK Patnaik supervised the CVC inquiry which was completed on November 10.

The CJI observed that the Registry was open on Sunday also but no intimation was given to the Registrar regarding filing of the report.

Later, the SG tendered an apology and said though he was not explaining the circumstances there was delay on their part in submitting the report.

On October 26, the top court had appointed Justice Patnaik to supervise the ongoing inquiry of the CVC against Verma.

The apex court had also issued notices to the Centre and the CVC seeking their replies on Verma’s petition challenging the government’s decision to divest him of his powers as CBI chief and sending him on leave.

Verma’s deputy Rakesh Asthana, Special Director, CBI, was also sent on leave by the Centre.

The court on October 26 had also set a deadline of two weeks for the CVC to complete the preliminary inquiry against the CBI director.

It had also barred Rao, who has been given interim charge of the CBI, from taking any major decision.

It had said that a list of all the decisions taken by Rao since October 23, including decisions with regard to transfer of investigations, change of investigating officer(s) etc, would be furnished to the court in a sealed cover on or before November 12, after which appropriate orders would be passed by the court. PTI