CBI vs CBI: CVC submits preliminary probe report in sealed cover to SC

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on Monday filed in the Supreme Court its preliminary enquiry report, in a sealed cover, about CBI director Alok Kumar Verma who has been divested of his duties and sent on leave in view of allegations of corruption against him.

The allegations have been levelled against Verma by his deputy Rakesh Asthana, Special Director at the agency, against whom an FIR has been lodged by the CBI on graft charges. Asthana was also sent on leave by the Centre.

Acting CBI director M Nageswara Rao also filed in a sealed cover the decisions taken by him from October 23-26.

A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul took both the reports on record and fixed the matter for further hearing on November 16.

The CVC and Rao placed three copies of their reports in compliance with the October 26 order.

"Report of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) with regard to the preliminary enquiry held in respect of the petitioner Alok Kumar Verma...in sealed cover, has been submitted in Court on Monday by Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General," the bench said.

Similarly, the apex court noted in its order that the report of the orders passed by the acting director was filed in sealed cover, in terms of the earlier order of the Court dated October 26, 2018 by Additional Solicitor General P S Narasimha.

"Both the aforesaid reports are taken on record. All the matters will be considered on Friday next i.e. November 16, 2018," the bench said.

Mehta, appearing for the CVC, told the court that former apex court judge A K Patnaik has supervised the CVC inquiry as directed by the apex court and the probe was completed on November 10.

The CJI then observed that the Registry was open on Sunday for one hour but neither the reports were filed nor any intimation was given to the Registrar regarding their filing.

"On Sunday we kept the registry opened for one hour but neither the reports were filed nor any intimation was given. How long will the Registrars wait?," the CJI said.

The Solicitor General later tendered an apology and said though he was not explaining the circumstances, there was delay on their part in submitting the report.

Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for NGO 'Common Cause' said, they (CVC) opened their offices at 2AM on October 23 to pass orders against the CBI director, but they could not file their report on time in the court.

Dave claimed before the bench that despite the apex court order, the acting CBI director is continuing to take important decisions.

However, the bench said, "We cannot interfere in every thing. The spirit of our earlier order was that no major policy decision should be taken."