CBI Chief Verma dismissal: Chowkidar’s true colours
Though the Supreme Court had ordered CBI chief Alok Verma to be reinstated into his position, the government has taken less than 24 hours to unseat him through a committee led by PM Narendra Modi. The objections recorded by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge did not make a cut.
Ironically, the government had earlier mentioned Verma was sent on leave following the recommendation made by CVC, which was rejected by the court before it sought reinstatement of Verma. And on the basis of same accusations levelled by the CVC, Modi has transferred Verma. Which means even CVC did not articulate well on the accusations listed out on the officer.
The committee’s decision on Verma transfer was based on the recommendations made by the CVC. But the committee itself has not been able to substantiate any of the allegations it has levelled against Verma, which is largely based on the complaints listed out by the CVC.
There is one allegation that Verma has taken Rs 2 cr bribe from an industrialist, but this is unsubstantiated. The Central Vigilance Committee had said incidental witnesses had to be probed. Though there is a mention of some intelligence leads not being probed during his tenure, CVC has not been able to articulate on them. Three complaints among the 10 complaints have been ascertained, but the others are not substantiated as per the vigilance committee.
Even the veracity of allegations is under doubt. CVC has ascertained the fact that a suspect in IARTC case has not been mentioned as an accused in the subsequent FIR, CVC had observed.
The accusation of Verma unable to check gold trafficking in Delhi airport has been proved partially right. Kharge had argued that Verma should be allowed to finish his tenure while the investigation based on the CVC report is on. He had even said since Verma had lost 77 days of his service, his tenure should be extended by those many days to make good for the time lost.
But the central government was very stuck upon keeping Verma out of the office. The committee said allegations against him had to be proved and he cannot continue as the Chief of CBI. Another Judge has concurred with this recommendation made by Modi. This is nothing but an authoritarian situation. Committee has been reduced to just name sake.
This is a severe blow on the moral strength of CBI. Verma’s transfer is just name sake because the committee had probably even known the officer may not accept a transfer with his service lasting just about a month. As expected, Verma resigned from the post. Instead of slaving before the government, he has martyred his service to save his self respect. Someone like him is the hope of this country.
The whole incident has proved one thing beyond doubt. PM Modi fears the CBI. The people of this country know Modi has ensured Verma does not return as CBI chief following the Rafale deal which has left the government stark naked.
If not for the cover of power, Rafale by now is the major undoing of the government. Verma lost his job owing to his interest in investigating the Rafale deal. Modi, who would take pride in calling himself the Chowkidar, has whipped the CBI with his hunter. If he really was a gatekeeper of this country, why should he be scared of the CBI?
The house owner will really not throw a dog out just because he barked at something suspicious. Instead he would check around his house to see what’s lurking. Looks like Modi has admitted to the misdemeanors, by way of throwing out the investigating officer. This has gone to show the Chowkidar and the thief, to the nation.
The country is taking note of how CBI is being pressurized with Modi and his team continuing to be resistant of any investigation of Rafale deal. Modi is not bigger than the country and its security. He is totally deserving of a punishment if he has favoured a private company like Reliance over state run expert at aviation HAL.
In fact Modi has run HAL into the ground with this decision. Why does he fear an investigation if he has done no wrong in Rafale? The lone choice of proving himself innocent is by allowing an inquiry to take place. He cannot shut the mouth of the constitution and judiciary by misplacing a Verma. Modi would know that soon.
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Speaker rules out discussion on Guv''s conduct amid K''taka Assembly standoff
Bengaluru (PTI): In an effort to end the logjam over the Governor's address that has stalled proceedings for the past week, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday ruled that legislators should not discuss Thaawarchand Gehlot or his conduct in the house, saying such debates send the wrong message to the public.
The House has witnessed repeated disruptions and adjournments since the session began on January 22 over the issue of the governor's conduct.
During his address to the joint sitting of the Karnataka legislature on January 22, Gehlot read out only three sentences from the 122-paragraph speech prepared by the state government.
The speech included criticism of the Centre for replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), portions of which the governor declined to read.
Concluding his address in about two minutes, the governor left the house, triggering a commotion as Congress legislators attempted to gherao him and raised slogans.
While the opposition BJP accused the ruling Congress and its ministers of "insulting" the governor and demanded action, the treasury benches countered by claiming the governor had "insulted the National Anthem by leaving before it was played."
The house again witnessed heated arguments on the issue earlier in the day, leading to adjournment.
During the interruption, Khader held a meeting with ministers and opposition members to resolve the impasse.
When proceedings resumed, the speaker delivered his ruling.
Referring to the events of January 22 and the subsequent debate, Khader said the conduct and discussions had conveyed the wrong message to the public.
"Our conduct as members of this House and the opinions expressed must be in good taste and in accordance with constitutional provisions. They must uphold the dignity of the House and its members. We must introspect in this direction," he said.
He stressed the need for caution to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
"Let us end this matter here, continue the discussion on the motion of thanks to the governor, and refrain from discussing the governor or his conduct in this house," the speaker said.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said the house should express regret over what he termed an "insult" to the governor.
Responding, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the situation would not have arisen had the governor read out the entire address.
"Asking the house to express regret is not appropriate. Why did the governor leave even before the National Anthem was played," Siddaramaiah asked.
BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar reminded Siddaramaiah that as Leader of the Opposition in 2011, he had asked then Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj to curtail his address.
Bhardwaj had subsequently placed the address on the table of the house, requesting members to treat it as read.
Siddaramaiah said the situation in January 2011 was different from the present one.
The debate grew intense, leading to another adjournment of the house.
