Mallikarjun Kharge writes to PM Modi, wants minutes of meeting on former CBI director Alok Verma public
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, in a letter has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release the minutes of the meeting which ousted Alok Verma from the CBI.
The high powered committee, which included PM Modi, Justice AK Sikri (nominated by the Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi) and Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge who voted in a 2-1 ratio and Alok Verma was voted out of the CBI.
Mallikarjun Kharge, in a letter has said that “Despite my best efforts to convince the members of the committee that we should be following the due process of law and the principles of natural justice, the members chose to take a decision based on the report that now stands disowned by Justice Patnaik.”
Kharge, who had put up a dissenting note in the meeting has claimed that the report of the Central Vigilance Commission was entirely based on the allegations made by special director Rakesh Asthana and out of 10 accusations, 6 had no meaning to it but it even lacked evidence as well.
The Congress party alleged that BJP is trying to shield their corruption and wanted Alok Verma out at any cost as he was due to begin an investigation in the Rafale jet deal.
Congress on its Twitter wrote, “By removing Alok Verma from his position without giving him the chance to present his case, PM Modi has shown once again that he's too afraid of an investigation, either by an independent CBI director or by Parliament via JPC.”
Role of Justice AK Sikri is also under clouds since the decision of plum posting came in the news.
First published: 15 January 2019, 13:19 IST