CBI centered Drama continued: The appointment of M.Nageswara Rao as interim CBI Director challenged in SC

New Delhi, Jan 14: Though the chapter of Alok Varma was concluded, the CBI centered drama continued. The appointment of M.Nageswara Rao as interim Director was challenged in the Supreme Court on Monday.

 

The petition was filed by NGO “Common Cause”. The PIL filed through Advocate Prashant Bhushan.

 

After the removal of Alok Varma as director by High-powered selection commission, M. Nageswara Rao was made to continue as CBI’s interim Director. After the removal, Alok Varma was appointed as director-general of fire services, civil defense and home guards on 10 January, but Verma turned this down by resigning from the Indian Police Services (IPS).

 

This petition sought a direction to the center to appoint a regular director of CBI immediately by following the procedure laid down in section 4A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act-1946, as amended by Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act-2013.

 

On 8 January, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi set aside the government order of 23 October divesting Verma of his powers and appointing CBI joint director Rao as the interim chief.

 

Verma was restored as CBI director but was barred from taking any fresh policy decisions till the high-powered committee reviewed CVC’s findings against him.