CBI Row: Supreme Court to pronounce verdict on Alok Verma case. LIVE UPDATES

The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi is all set to give its verdict, on Tuesday, on petitions filed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma challenging the Central government's decision to send him on leave and divesting him of all responsibilities.

The bench had reserved the verdict on December 6 last year after hearing arguments of Verma, Union Government, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), NGO Common Cause, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and others who were the party in the case.

During the hearing, while confronting questions over the Centre's sudden decision to send CBI Director Verma on leave, the CVC had told the apex court that "extraordinary situations sometimes need extraordinary remedies."

The CJI Ranjan Gogoi had raised questions over the timing of the order and asked why the government took immediate steps to divest Verma of his powers without consulting the Selection Committee.

Attorney General KK Venugopal appearing for the DoPT had told the bench that the government was well within its jurisdiction to send both officers (Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana) on leave by divesting them of their powers.

Venugopal had defended the Centre's decision over sending Verma on leave and said that the dispute between Verma and Asthana was tarnishing the reputation of the institution. He had added that both the top officials of the investigating agency were "fighting like Kilkenny cats."

Senior advocate Fali Nariman, appearing for Verma, had contended that in all circumstances the CVC and the Centre should have consulted the Selection Committee.

Verma had registered an FIR against Asthana and this was the reason for the Central government (DoPT) to divest him of his powers and functions, Nariman had contended.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Mallikarjun Kharge, who had filed a plea against the Centre's and CVC decision of sending Verma on leave, had argued that the government does not have the power to remove or transfer the CBI Director.

The top court was hearing a petition filed by Verma against the Central government's order to send him on leave in view of the corruption allegations levelled against him. The Central government had sent Verma and his deputy Asthana on leave after both levelled allegations of accepting bribes against each other.

However, the CBI on October 25 informed that Verma and Asthana would continue to retain their posts as CBI Director and Special Director, respectively.

(With ANI inputs)

Bench assembled. Judgement going to be pronounced in Alok Verma case

Alok Verma reinstated as the CBI director in the interim period. Government to approach selection committee. Furthermore, no new policy decisions can be taken by Alok Verma.

A selection committee under the DSPE act to consider the removal of Alok Verma as the CBI director. The Selection Committee includes the CJI, the Prime Minister and the leader of Opposition. 

Today's victory is for institutional integrity. The SC today has reiterated the independence of investigative agency in this country. I see it as a victory not for Mr Verma alone but for the institutional independence. Mr Verma will always act independently: Sanjay Hegde, Alok Verma's counsel
 

The Selection Committee has been formed consisting of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and the CJI. Leader of Opposition is replaced by Leader of Single largest party.

Supreme Court asks the High Power Committee under the DSPE Act to act within a week to consider Alok Verma's case.

'Earlier he was removed because he was not cooperating with the case proceedings. We got information that he had the Rafale files or he had the information on the deal. We welcome the judgement by the SC and this is a blow to the government': Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge

The SC has today quashed the government's decision and CVC's decision to divest Alok Verma of the power of CBI director and they have restored him as CBI director. Strangely, despite quashing the orders divesting him of CBI director and restoring him, the court has said that he cannot take any major policy decision till such time that this high-powered committee of PM, Leader of opposition and CJI meets and considers the matter. They have directed the matter to come before the high-powered committee within a week. It's a case of partial victory for Shri Alok Verma: Prashant Bhushan, lawyer

For details, read here: 

Alok Verma To Stay On As Interim CBI Director, Supreme Court Tasks Selection Committee To Look Into Charges