News18 Daybreak I CBI Saga Continues as Alok Verma Sacked and Other Stories You Need to Watch Out For
CBI saga continues: Delhi HC verdict on Asthana today, day after Alok Verma is removed
The Delhi High Court on Friday will announce its verdict on former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana’s plea to quash the FIR against him on charges of bribery. The charges were first taken up by former CBI director Alok Verma who accused Asthana of accepting bribes. Asthana, in return, charged Verma with similar acts of corruption following which the apex court ordered a Central Vigilance Commission inquiry. The two CBI officers were then sent on a forced leave by the government.
Alok Verma, reinstated as chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Supreme Court barely 48 hours ago, was removed on Thursday evening by a committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which said he "had not acted with the integrity expected of him". Mr Verma lost his high-profile job just weeks before his retirement on January 31. The decision was two against one: PM Modi and Justice AK Sikri -- representing Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi who had recused himself from the panel -- favoured Mr Verma's removal. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, representing the opposition, put up a dissenting note. Reacting to his removal from the CBI, Mr Verma said that he was transferred on the basis of false, unsubstantiated and frivolous allegations made by only one person, who was trying to harm him.
overnment in a midnight swoop, took a series of controversial decisions; he cancelled the transfers of 10 officers and transferred five others.
Mallikarjun Kharge, the dissenting member of the panel, questioned how Mr Verma could be removed without a hearing and argued that he should be restored to "ensure independence and neutrality of CBI". Contending that the CVC report lacked "substantial findings" against Mr Verma, Mr Kharge -- who had opposed his appointment in 2017 -- said his tenure should be extended as he lost 77 days after being "illegally' transferred".
Of the 10 allegations against Mr Verma, only three were substantiated, Mr Kharge's note says. The main allegation that Mr Verma took Rs. 2 crore from a businessman being investigated by the CBI has not been substantiated.
The Supreme Court had reinstated Mr Verma on Tuesday, scrapping the government's October order sending him on compulsory leave. The court, however, said he was not make any policy decision till the PM-led committee took a call on his status. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi dropped out of the committee and nominated Justice Sikri as he was part of the bench that restored Mr Verma.
Mr Verma has been appointed the chief of Fire Services and Home Guards. For now, Nageshwar Rao will replace him at the agency. .
As the government sent Mr Verma and Rakesh Asthana on immediate leave and appointed an interim chief in a midnight swoop on October 23, the officer approached the Supreme Court.
The top court's order on Tuesday reinstating him is seen as a major loss of face for the government, which is under opposition attack over allegations of using the investigating agency as a tool against political rivals.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Fear is now rampaging through Mr Modi's mind. He can't sleep. He stole 30,000Cr from the IAF and gave it to Anil Ambani. Sacking the CBI Chief #AlokVerma twice in a row, clearly shows that he is now a prisoner of his own lies."
Largest ever BJP National Council meeting to start today, 12000 delegates to attend
The BJP national council will be holding a two-day meeting on the Ramlila grounds starting today to discuss a host of issues, including the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah are slated to attend the meeting. This will be the last of such meetings before the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and will also be the largest meeting of the party's National Council. Around 12,000 delegates will be inaugurated by the BJP President in the meeting.
Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for farmers to be announced
The Bhartiya Janata Party led-government is all set to clear the direct benefit transfer scheme for farmers, as per sources. According to reports, DBT worth Rs.4000 per acre per season with interest-free crop loan up to Rs 1 lakh per farmer will be given to farmers. The compensation will be calculated based on size of land holdings. Will these schemes for farmers be enough to boost BJP’s chances in the upcoming polls? Read Sindhu Bhattacharya analysis.
‘The Accidental Prime Minister’ to release today
The much-awaited film ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’ will hit the theatres today. The much-awaited film The Accidental Prime Minister found itself in the midst of a controversy in the last leg ahead of its release. A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court against a previous order of the Delhi High Court, which had dismissed a petition seeking ban of the film's trailer but The Accidental Prime Minister will find its way to the theatres today.
The film is based on the book of the same name by Sanjaya Baru, who served as Dr Manmohan Singh's media advisor. Akshaye Khanna has been cast in the role of Mr Baru in the film, which has been directed by Vijay Ratnakar Gutte.
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‘Triple Talaq’ ordinance re-issued by the union Cabinet
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Sheila Dixit Appointed as Delhi Congress Chief
A few days after Ajay Maken put in his resignation, Sheila Dikshit was appointed as the Delhi Pradesh Congress committee President. Although, Maken had cited reasons of ill-health, many have said that he was unhappy with the party’s plans to draw an alliance with the Aam Admi Party for the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls. But, the former chief did make it a point to congratulate Sheila Dikshit over Twitter. Dikshit, who is 80-years-old, has been a three-time chief minister of Delhi.
PIL against Quota Bill: No Constitutional basis for the bill, only economic criterion cannot be considered
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed against the recently introduced constitutional amendment, which accords 10% reservations to the economically weaker sections within the general category. The PIL was filed by the NGO Youth for Equality on the grounds that the economic criterion cannot be the only basis for reservation and the amendment stands in violation to the Constitution. Earlier this week, the bill was passed unanimously by the Rajya Sabha, setting a quota, which will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation to SCs, STs and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Chattisgarh becomes the third state to bar CBI from probing cases without state government’s consent
The Congress-led Chhattisgarh government on Thursday decided to withdraw the general consent given to Central Bureau of Investigations to conduct raids and probes. Chhattisgarh is the third state to do so, after Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal also decided to withdraw consent under Section 5 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act which accords such powers to the investigating agency.
Cricketers Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul face two-match ban for ‘sexist’ comments
Cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul face a two-match ban for controversial comments made on the chat show ‘Koffee With Karan’. Following the interview, many slammed Pandya’s comments as being misogyntic and sexist. Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai on Thursday recommended a two-ODI ban for the duo.