Interim CBI chief M Nageswara Rao reverses transfer orders of ex-Director Alok Verma

Interim CBI chief M Nageswara Rao on Friday reversed all the transfer orders made by former CBI boss Alok Verma. 

Alok Verma was removed from the post of CBI director unceremoniously by a high-powered selection committee on January 10. 

When Verma had resumed duty as CBI director on Wednesday, a day after the apex court paved his return with some riders, he had reversed transfer orders by Rao who was serving as the interim chief then. Rao was made the interim chief in October following an earlier order in October which sent Verma and his deputy on leave.

READ | Alok Verma Cries Foul Over Sacking, Alleges 'false And Frivolous Allegations' Made By Only One Person

The high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed Verma from the post on Thursday, January 10 on charges of corruption and dereliction of duty. Breaking his silence over the issue, Verma, in a statement to PTI late on Thursday, January 10 night, said the CBI being a prime investigating agency dealing in corruption in high public places is an institution whose independence should be preserved and protected.

Headed by the prime minister, the high-powered committee comprised Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Justice A K Sikri, appointed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as his nominee. Verma said the committee was assigned the task of deciding his future course of action as the director of the CBI.

Earlier on Friday, Verma spoke about his removal by the selection panel. He claimed that he was transferred on the basis of “false, unsubstantiated and frivolous allegations” made by only one person who was inimical to him.

“It must function without external influences. I have tried to uphold the integrity of the institution while attempts were being made to destroy it. The same can be seen from the orders of the central government and the CVC dated October 23, 2018, which were without jurisdiction and were set aside,” he said.

Verma termed it “sad” that he was transferred to another post pursuant to the orders of the committee on the basis of “false, unsubstantiated and frivolous allegations made by only one person, who was inimical to him”. The 1979-batch IPS officer has been posted as the Director-General Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, under the Union Home Ministry. The charge of the CBI has been given to Additional Director M Nageshwar Rao, said a government order issued on Thursday evening.

READ | After Being Sacked As The CBI Chief, Here Is Alok Verma’s New Appointment Order