CBI director Alok Verma's plea: SC says essence of govt action must be in interest of institution
New Delhi, Dec 6: The Supreme Court, which is hearing CBI Director Alok Verma's plea against the Centre's decision to divest him of powers and send him on leave, on Thursday said the essence of government action must be in the interest of the institution.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said Attorney General K K Venugopal told it that circumstances culminating in the situation started in July.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central Vigilance Commission, referred to apex court judgements and laws governing the CBI.
The apex court said it was not that the fight between the CBI director and Special Director Rakesh Asthana emerged overnight, forcing the govt to divest the director of powers without consulting the Selection Committee.
The CBI director and the special director were fighting like "kilkenny cats", exposing the country's premier investigating agency to "public ridicule", the government told the Supreme Court on Wednesday while justifying the decision to divest Verma of his duties.
Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal also told the top court that the government was well "within its right to intervene" and send both officers on leave by divesting them of their powers.
The top law officer asserted that "only the God knows where and how this fight between the two top officers would have ended" if the government would not have taken the action which was aimed at restoring the public faith in the CBI.
The court was hearing pleas of Verma, who is challenging the Centre's decision against him, and NGO Common Cause, seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into allegations of corruption against various CBI officials, including Asthana.
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CM Siddaramaiah visits Minister Sudhakar in hospital
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday visited Minister D Sudhakar in hospital and said doctors would take a decision on further treatment after the latter regains consciousness.
The Planning and Statistics Minister Sudhakar fell ill following a severe lung infection. He is still in the intensive care unit.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Electronic City, Siddaramaiah said, "Sudhakar has not yet regained consciousness. The doctors will take a decision tomorrow."
Responding to a query on whether a lung transplantation would be carried out, the CM said, "If a transplant has to be done now, he must regain consciousness. He is not conscious now. The doctors will take a decision."
Asked about the minister's condition, Siddaramaiah said he is stable now, but on ventilator support.
"All other organs are functioning well and he is stable. The brain has not yet regained consciousness," he said.
On further medical evaluation, Siddaramaiah said, "The doctors will do a CT scan tomorrow. After that, they will know. They will take a decision."
The doctors briefed the CM on the treatment being administered. Siddaramaiah also interacted with the minister's family members.
VIDEO | Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday visited Minister D Sudhakar in hospital and said doctors would take a decision on further treatment after the latter regains consciousness.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 25, 2026
The Planning and Statistics Minister Sudhakar fell ill following a severe lung… pic.twitter.com/qyfuUkAca1
