In a decisive and stern intervention, the Supreme Court has appointed retired apex court judge AK Patnaik to supervise and ensure completion of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) inquiry into bribery charges against CBI director Alok Verma within two weeks. It has also asked interim chief M Nageswar Rao not to take any policy decisions. A bench consisting of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph made short work of proceedings in what was seen as a complex case involving a bitter feud between Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana.
The proceedings were wound up in 15 minutes by preventing counsel for the parties from making elaborate submissions and seeking their views to crystallise an interim action plan. Verma had challenged the government decision of sending him on leave and sought a stay on the order, however, the court did not take note of the prayer. At the end of the hearing, the only change in the original action plan was to give 14 days to the CVC to conclude the probe hearing against Verma instead of 10 days which the court had proposed at the start of proceedings. The court said it wanted the inquiry report on November 12
When asked clarification on the decision to ask Justice Patnaik to supervise the CVC's probe, CJI Gogoi said that this “is a one-time exception which has been felt necessary by this court in the peculiar facts of this case and should not be understood to be casting any reflection on any authority of the government of India.” The SC bench said, “The inquiry in respect of allegations made in the note/letter of the cabinet secretary dated August 24 as regards the present CBI director Alok Verma shall be completed by the CVC within a period of two weeks.”
The Cabinet Secretary's communication dated August 24 to the CVC contained charges by Asthana against Verma. Asthana had alleged that during the interrogation of Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Babu Sana, an accused in a criminal case registered against meat exporter Moin Qureshi, Sana gave a statement alleging that he met TDP MP CM Ramesh who allegedly introduced him to Verma and that a bribe was paid to him. The SC has also put all decisions taken after Rao assumed charge under the scanner and asked him to submit in sealed cover “a list of all decisions taken between October 23 and up to this hour.”
Meanwhile, the HC has directed the CBI to maintain status quo on proceedings against Rakesh Asthana till November 1. The Delhi High Court has ordered the CBI to maintain status quo on proceedings against its Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who was sent on leave by the government, till November 1. A Bench of Justice Najmi Waziri questioned the CBI for not filing replies to please of Asthana and another official for quashing the FIR in the matter.
