New Delhi: The Supreme Court while hearing the petition filed by CBI head Alok Verma said the Central Vigilance Commission must investigate the charges against Alok Verma in ten days and that the probe must be under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.  

Senior lawyer General Fali S Nariman, who is representing Verma, has cited the Vineet Narain judgment to say that the CBI director enjoys a protected two-year tenure.

Also read: CBI vs CBI: Supreme Court to hear Alok Verma's petition challenging his ouster

Verma moved the apex court challenging the government’s decision to divest him of his role as it was “patently illegal” as per a 1998 verdict by the Supreme Court. He said the law mandates a 2-year tenure of CBI director to ensure the agency’s independence. 

“Decision of transfer of CBI director rests with a high-powered committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. Centre’s decision goes against SC directions for an independent CBI,” the petition read.

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CJI Ranjan Gogoi also said: “Interim CBI director M Nageswar Rao will not take any policy decisions. Only routine admin work to keep work going. The inquiry by the CVC against Alok Verma will be completed in 10 days. The Centre will give in a sealed envelope a list of all decisions taken by him."

He added that: “Rao will only take essential decisions. List of all decisions by Nageswara Rao between 20 October till today to be given to Supreme Court in a sealed cover.”He added that: “Rao will only take essential decisions. List of all decisions by Nageswara Rao between 20 October till today to be given to Supreme Court in a sealed cover.”