India
Verma was sent on leave following a tussle with his deputy, special CBI director Rakesh Asthana. He has been accused by Asthana of accepting bribe in a case related to meat exporter Moin Qureshi
New Delhi: Former CBI head Alok Verma's lawyer Fali Nariman told the Supreme Court on Thursday that the government could not have transferred Verma without the approval of the empowered panel that cleared his appointment.
Nariman submitted to the top court that Verma should be given a minimum period of time to respond to such situations irrespective of his superannuation.
The bench, comprising Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph said, "This court is not a platform for people to come and express what they want. This is a place for adjudication of legal rights. This is not right. We intend to set it right." It also observed: "Our effort to maintain the respect of this institution is not being shared by everyone."
The Supreme Court has begun hearing Verma's plea challenging the government's order divesting him of his duties and sending him on leave in view of graft allegations against him.
Besides the plea filed by Verma, the apex court will also hear the PIL filed by NGO Common Cause, which has sought a probe by a special investigation team against CBI officers.
The bench is also likely to consider the report of acting CBI Director M Nageswara Rao also filed in a sealed cover in the court with regard to the decisions taken by him from October 23-26.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.