Probe against CBI chief Alok Verma to be completed in 2 weeks, says SC

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The Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by CBI director Alok Kumar Verma seeking a stay on the post midnight order divesting of him of duty and sending him on leave.

The Central Vigilance Commission investigation against Alok Verma will be conducted under the supervision of a retired top court judge and set a two weeks deadline for the probe to complete, the Supreme Court ordered on Friday. (Follow live updates here)

Friday’s hearing, in addition to a petition by Verma, also included a petition by non-profit organisation Common Cause, which also wanted the court to assign a special team to probe corruption charges against CBI special director Rakesh Asthana.

Verma and Asthana have been locked in a feud with both accusing the other of corruption, a situation that the government cited to send out a dramatic order issued overnight to send them both off duty. The Central Vigilance Commission said it had attempted to look into allegations against Verma but he didn’t cooperate.

Both petitions – Verma’s as well as the one filed by Common Cause – sought the removal of Asthana from CBI and the quashing of the order issued to appoint M Nageswar Rao as interim chief.