The Supreme Court (SC) refused to hear Alok Verma’s petition, today and adjourned the hearing to the 29th of November.
The Supreme Court, in its last hearing held on the 16th of November, reviewed the report submitted by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) about the allegations against Alok Verma, the former director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI.) The SC asked Alok Verma to submit his response to the CVC report in a sealed envelope on Monday.
However, The Wire, a news website, leaked Alok Verma’s response, on its website. This made the SC adjourn the hearing. Ranjan Gogoi, the Chief Justice of India (CJI,) said, “None of you deserve a hearing.” He further added, “We wanted to keep Alok Verma’s response confidential to maintain CBI’s dignity.”
After adjourning the case, the CJI handed over a copy of the news report to Fali S. Nariman, Alok Verma’s lawyer. Mr. Gogoi said, “We are giving you this copy as a senior and respected member of the bar and not as Verma’s lawyer.”
Alok Verma filed a petition in the SC against the Central Government’s orders of sending him on compulsory leave. Following the filing of the petition, the SC ordered the Central Vigilance Commission to conduct a probe against Alok Verma under the supervision of A.K. Patnaik, a former Supreme Court judge.
The issues within the CBI started when Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana, the Special Director of CBI, alleged each other of bribery and corruption. Following the conflict, the Central Government deprived both of them of their duties and sent them on compulsory leave.
Apart from Alok Verma, A.K. Bassi and Mallikarjun Kharge also filed petitions in the SC, challenging the Central Government’s decision.
The SC bench will scrutinise Alok Verma’s response to the uncomplimentary charges stated by the CVC in its report, on the 29th of November.
