The probe on exiled CBI Director Alok Verma has given “mixed” findings and some charges needed to be investigated further, the Supreme Court on Friday said while examining the report submitted by the Central Vigilance Commission.

Summarising the CVC findings, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said, “the report can be categorised in four; very complimentary on some charges; not so on others; very uncomplimentary on some charges and some charges require further investigation”.

Advertisement

The apex court said it will give the CVC report to Alok Verma in a sealed cover and asked him to file his response by Monday after which the court will take a decision.

The CJI said it was necessary to seek his response “keeping in mind the need to preserve and maintain the sanctity and public confidence in the said institution (CBI)”.

The apex court, however, refused to hand over the inquiry report to CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana.

The CVC had on Monday filed its preliminary probe report on Alok Verma in a sealed cover in the Supreme Court.

Read | CVC files probe report on CBI chief Alok Verma in SC

The apex court was hearing Verma’s plea against the government for divesting him of his duties and sending him on leave following an ongoing spat between the top officials.

The court further said that it will decide later on the applications filed by CBI DSP AK Bassi who was transferred to Port Blair and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge who questioned Centre’s decision to sent Alok Verma on leave.

The Supreme Court has fixed the matter for further hearing on November 20.

The court on October 26 had appointed one of its former judges, Justice A.K. Patnaik, to supervise the inquiry into the allegations against CBI Director Alok Verma while giving 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.

In his hearings before the CVC, Alok Verma is understood to have refuted corruption charges levelled against him by his deputy and special director in the probe agency Rakesh Asthana

In an unprecedented move, the Central Bureau of Investigation divested Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana from their duties on Wednesday as the two hit out at each other over bribery accusations in the meat exporter Moin Qureshi money laundering case.

Following this, CBI Director Alok Verma had moved the Supreme Court challenging the probe agency’s decision.