Reinstated by SC, Alok Verma removed as CBI boss by PM-chaired panel

Media reports said the committee was of the view that Verma had "not acted with the integrity expected of him."

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had on Wednesday excused himself from a selection panel meeting on CBI director Alok Verma to decide on his continuation since he had himself delivered the verdict reinstating Verma as the CBI chief.

PM Modi and Justice AK Sikri, who was representing Gogoi, agreed for the removal of Verma while the committee's other member Mallikarjun Kharge was against the move.

Kharge reportedly was against the idea of removal of Verma without offering him a chance to present his verdict.

Since taking charge on Wednesday, Verma has reinstated key officers considered close to him.

Among them is A.K. Sharma who returned to the post of joint director (policy). He had been shifted after the government sent Verma on leave.

The committee that met at the Prime Minister's house on Thursday evening was scheduled to take a decision on whether to allow Verma to continue in his post till January 31, that is up to his term ends.

They were also expected to pick his successor.

Earlier, the apex court's  decision to reinstate him was seen as a setback to the Centre that had sent Verma on leave.

The controversy in the CBI episode revolves around Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana swapping bribe charges.

What did Rahul Gandhi say?
 
Congress president Rahul Gandhi earlier in the evening said the Prime Minister is in hurry to sack Verma to cover up his alleged scam in the deal of buying 36 fighter jets by India from France.

Rahul tweeted, "1. Why is the PM in such a tearing hurry to sack the CBI Chief? 2. Why will he not allow the CBI Chief to present his case in front of the selection committee ? Answer: RAFALE"

Rahul had alleged Verma was investigating the Rafale deal.

The Congress president alleged that Modi bypassed the Rafale deal and gave the offset contract to his businessman friend Anil Ambani to benefit the latter.

Though the Supreme Court had said that specific process was being followed in signing the deal, the main rival party has made Rafale an election issue to attack the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.