Ex-SC judge to supervise CVC probe against Alok Verma

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday appointed one of its former judges, Justice A.K. Patnaik, to supervise the inquiry into the allegations against CBI Director Alok Verma while giving to two weeks time to the CVC to complete the probe.

Making it clear that prolonging the inquiry was not in the nation's best interest, a bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Krishan Kaul and Justice K.M. Joseph said the inquiry would be conducted on the allegation contained in the Cabinet Secretary's note to the CVC.

ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi to lead protest outside CBI offices nationwide, Today

As Attorney General K.K. Venugopal told the court that the inquiry should not be only on the allegation against Verma but also on the allegations raised against CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, Chief Justice Gogoi said: "We are only concerned with Verma."

The court also asked the officiating Director M. Nageswara Rao not to take any policy or major decision except for routine ones.

ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi to lead protest outside CBI offices nationwide, Today

It directed all decisions taken by Rao "after taking over charge till this hour" (when the order was being dictated) to be submitted to the court in a sealed envelope by November 12.

The court said it may reverse or retain Rao's decisions.

The probe will be conducted under the supervision of a retired judge, Justice AK Patnaik, of the Supreme Court.

ALSO READ: Major shake-up in CBI, officers probing Asthana shunted out

SC also directed CBI that no major decisions can be made by newly appointed interim chief Nageshwar Rao and that he can only perform routine tasks that are essential to keep the CBI functioning.

The next hearing on CBI Chief Alok Verma will be on 12 Nov, after Diwali.

With IANS Inputs