CBI chief Alok Verma gets new challenge; becomes chief of DG, Fire Sevices, Civil Defence & Home Guards

New Delhi, January 10: Just within 48 hours of Supreme Court reinstating Alok Verma as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief, the selection panel committee had some other plans for him. Interestingly, CBI chief Alok Verma now has a new challenge slated before him as the panel committee subsequently posted Verma to hold other services like that of DG, Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards.

 

The decision came from the selection panel committee comprising of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Justice A K Sikri and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. The Supreme Court, while reinstating Verma, had made it clear that he will be ceased from taking any major policy decision till a high-powered committee considers the issue of "divestment of power and authority".

Taking cognisance of the reports presented by CVC, the panel came under this conclusive decision. The panel was of the view, that being the head of a very sensitive organisation, Verma was not functioning with the integrity expected of him.

CVC found evidence of influencing of investigation in Moin Qureshi case. There was also evidence of taking of bribe of Rs. 2 crore. CVC said Alok Verma’s conduct in the case is suspicious, and there is a prima facie case against him. In the IRCTC case, CVC felt it can be reasonably concluded that Alok Verma deliberately excluded a name from FIR, for reasons best known to him.The CVC found evidence against him in several other cases as well. CVC also found instances of wilful non-production of record.

Interestingly, Alok Verma, who resumed office on Wednesday, had revoked most of the transfers done by M Nageshwar Rao, who was appointed as the interim CBI chief in his absence.

CBI Additional Director, M. Nageshwar Rao will look after the duties of the Director, CBI till the appointment of a new Director, or until further orders.