CVC submits inquiry report on CBI Director to SC, next hearing on Nov 16

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on Monday submitted to the Supreme Court its report on a preliminary inquiry into allegations raised against CBI Director Alok Verma by his deputy and Special Director Rakesh Asthana. The report was handed over in a sealed cover to the top court.

Another report was also submitted before a bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Shyam Kishan Kaul on the decisions taken by the officiating CBI Director M Nageswara Rao since he took Verma's place.

The Supreme Court had ordered the CVC to submit the inquiry report within two weeks, i.e on November 11, but the report was submitted to the court on Monday, November 12. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CVC, apologised for the delay. This after Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi rebuked the CVC for its delay.

The bench took the report on record and directed the next hearing on the matter for November 16.

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The Supreme Court was hearing Verma's petition challenging the government's decision to divest him of his powers as CBI chief and to send him on leave. The Central Government's decision came after the then CBI Chief Alok Verma filed an FIR against his deputy, CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, over charges of corruption. The Centre had also sent Rakesh Asthana on leave.  

On October 26, the apex court had appointed Justice Patnaik to supervise the ongoing inquiry by the CVC against Verma. The SC had sent notices to the Centre and the CVC on Verma's petition contesting his ouster. The SC had also barred interim CBI director Nageswara Rao from taking any major decisions.  

The SC is also hearing a petition filed by an NGO Common Cause seeking a probe by an SIT (Special Investigation Team) against CBI officers including Rakesh Asthana and had issued notices to the Centre, CBI, CVC, Asthana, Verma and Rao seeking their responses by November 12.