Despite CVC report, Congress clings to Rafale role on Alok Verma

After CBI chief Alok Verma was sacked by a selection committee headed by PM Narendra Modi, Congress reacted to the decision.

The party has stuck to its old stance that the Centre took the decision to avoid being probed by the investigative agency under Verma on the Rafale deal, despite the CVC order detailing on the allegations against the former CBI boss.

"By removing Alok Verma from his position without giving him the chance to present his case, PM Modi has shown once again that he's too afraid of an investigation, either by an independent CBI director or by Parliament via JPC," the party handle tweeted.

READ | MASSIVE: CBI Boss Alok Verma Sacked By Selection Panel

Ajay Maken also said that the former CBI boss was removed because he wanted to probe the Rafale deal.

Here is his tweet:

CBI chief Alok Verma has been shunted out on Thursday by the selection committee and made the Director General of Fire Services.

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

 

The selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met for the second time on Thursday, January 10 to decide the fate of CBI Director Alok Verma who was reinstated by a Supreme Court order after he was sent on forced leave by the government.

The meeting went on for two hours earlier on Thursday.  Two members, PM Narendra Modi and Justice Sikri, from the CVC were for removing Verma from the panel. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge gave the dissenting note in the panel.

The allegation against Alok Verma based on the CVC report were:

1. He received kickbacks of Rs 2 crores
2. He went slow on the probe in the IRCTC case against RJD chief Lalu Yadav and did not conduct raids at his residence
3. Allegations over the functioning and discharge of his duties as the CBI boss

The panel's meet held on Wednesday, January 9 had remained inconclusive.

The Centre wanted to keep reputation of Alok Verma intact and hence carried out the earlier CVC order. But since the Supreme Court while setting aside the earlier order of the CVC had said that the due process was not followed by the panel, the government followed the procedure to sack Verma.

The Centre also believes that the writ of the state should not be flouted and that CVC report should have been vetted.

READ | Alok Verma-Rakesh Asthana Face-off Leaves A Dent On CBI's Image