Ousted CBI chief Alok Verma resigned on Friday, a day after he was shifted from the post by a high-level committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Verma, who was transferred as Director General, Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, refused to take up the new job and instead sent his resignation to the government. Verma had earned a reprieve from the Supreme Court just few days back and resumed duty. The panel cited serious corruption charges against him for his ejection. Verma faces an investigation, including for criminal charges. Verma's term was to end on 31 January. Nageswara Rao, who worked as interim chief when Verma was on the bench, will officiate as the director until the government finds a replacement.
The high-level committee, led by PM Narendra Modi and including Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and SC judge A K Sikri, recommended Verma’s removal by a 2:1 split order, with the opposition leader submitting a dissent note arguing for the continuation of Verma. Kharge contended that the curbs that the SC had imposed on the IPS officer when it brought him back as the agency chief on Tuesday should be removed.
