The Supreme Court order setting a two-week deadline for CVC inquiry against CBI Director Alok Verma has strengthened the fairness criteria, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Friday.

He also lauded the apex court’s decision to appoint former Supreme Court judge AK Patnaik to oversee the CVC inquiry into allegations against Verma.

Advertisement

“Today the Supreme Court has further strengthened the fairness criteria. They fixed a time limit and in order to ensure that highest standard of fairness is maintained even in the inquiry, they have appointed a retired judge to ensure that the CVC inquiry is extremely fair, Jaitley said in a press briefing.

Refuting allegations that the government favoured Special Director Rakesh Asthana over the CBI chief, Jaitley said the “government has no interest for or against any individual”.

He further reiterated that the government was interested in maintaining professionalism, image and constitutional integrity of CBI.

Jaitley also defended the Central Vigilance Commission’s decision to keep the two officials away from business until the inquiry was over.

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 two weeks time to the CVC to complete the probe.

Read | CVC probe against CBI chief Alok Verma to be completed in 2 weeks, rules SC

The government had earlier on Wednesday defended the CBI’s decision to send Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana on leave stating that the action was essential for fair investigation in the matter.

Read | Top officials kept out for fair probe, to maintain CBI integrity: Arun Jaitley

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said the decision to keep the two officials away was an interim measure to maintain the institutional integrity of CBI and in the interest of fairness of probe.

He also said the CVC’s recommendation and the government’s action was intended to restore the institutional integrity and credibility of the probe agency.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also rubbished claims of the opposition that the CBI chief was removed under political pressure.

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.