CJI nominates Justice AK Sikri for the panel meeting along with Mallikarjun Kharge, headed by PM Modi on Alok Verma

The Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has nominated Justice AK Sikri for the high-powered selection committee along with the Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, that would be headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on that will decide the fate of CBI chief Alok Verma.

The Selection Committee has to take a decision within seven days on Alok Verma, who was restored as CBI boss but with limited powers.

According to Times of India reports, CJI Gogoi said since he was part of the bench that decided Verma's petition against Centre's October 23 decision to divest him of powers pending the CVC inquiry, he is nominating Justice Sikri, who is number two most senior judge in the Supreme Court, to be part of Selection Committee.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated Alok Verma as CBI director with conditions after 77 days. Alok Verma was sent on compulsory leave by the government in a post-midnight order on October 23 and replaced by an interim chief, Nageswar Rao. The court yesterday agreed, and so left it to the panel to take a decision on Mr Verma.

However, As per NDTV reports, Alok Verma can still file First Information Report (FIRs) and sign off on transfers; they argue that interim chief Nageswara Rao also discharged these functions after being ordered by the top court to steer clear of major policy decisions.

Also read: Alok Verma back to work as CBI chief with big court win, after government sent him on compulsory leave