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CBI director Alok Verma case: Acted to save CBI’s reputation, Centre tells Supreme Court

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6 years ago

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cbi director alok verma case

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Claiming that the Centre had not violated any law in divesting CBI Director Alok Verma of his powers and sending him on leave, the Centre told the Supreme Court today (Wednesday, Dec 5) that it stepped in to save the agency’s reputation in view of extraordinary situation where the two top officers were “fighting like cats”.

Attorney General (AG) KK Venugopal was arguing on behalf of the Central government before the Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph which resumed hearing on Verma’s plea challenging Centre’s decision of Oct 24 to divest him of duties and sending him on leave.

The bench had, on Nov 29, heard submissions from lawyers of parties who have challenged the Centre’s decision, including senior advocate Fali Nariman (for Alok Verma), and posted the case for further submissions on Wednesday (December 5).

Presenting the Centre’s case, the AG said that the spat between the CBI director and his deputy, special director Rakesh Asthana was tarnishing the reputation of the country’s premier investigation agency.

It became essential for the government to step in when the two top officers of the CBI were “fighting like cats”, he said. “Government of India was watching with amazement as to what the top officers were doing, they were fighting like cats,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

“Dispute between CBI Director and Special Director was pulling down integrity and respect of the premier institution..Our main aim is to see that confidence of the public in this premiere institution (CBI) is restored,” he told the bench.

The apex court on Nov 29 had said it would first consider whether the government has the power to divest the CBI director of his duties under whatever circumstances or whether the selection committee headed by the Prime Minister should have been approached before moving against Verma on corruption allegations against him.

The court had made it clear that for now it was not going into the allegations and counter-allegations involving Verma and CBI’s No.2 officer Asthana, both of whom have been stripped of their powers and sent on leave following their bitter feud.

Today, KK Venugopal reiterated his assertions made during the last hearing in the case, that the Centre had not violated any law while sending Verma on leave.

During the last date of hearing, Venugopal had proceeded on the premise that the selection committee for appointing the CBI director was mandated to recommend names for the post of the agency’s chief or transferring him but it was the Centre that was the final appointing authority.

Venugopal argued that the central government had taken the decision to send Verma on leave after “due application of mind” and concluding that “a situation had arisen wherein the CBI director had to be divested of his responsibilities.”

The AG, however, insisted that by not referring the matter to the CBI director’s selection committee before acting against Verma, the Centre had not erred because the selection panel must be asked to carry out an inquiry only if the government wishes to transfer the CBI chief. He said, in Verma’s case, there was no transfer and that the petitioner continued to enjoy the perks of office.

Submitting that the Centre’s powers of superintendence, in its role as the appointing authority of the CBI director, Venugopal concluded his arguments.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), picked up from where his senior law officer left off. Mehta emphasized on the CVC’s power of superintendence over the CBI director and said that the vigilance panel is mandated to oversee CBI cases registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He added that the Centre too was free to ask the CVC to initiate investigations against CBI officials if needed.

The bench posted the matter for next hearing on Thursday, December 6. Verma’s two-year tenure ends on January 31.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India News

PM Modi says every noble attempt for peace with Pakistan met with hostility, betrayal

Modi also expressed empathy for the people of Pakistan, stating that they too must yearn for peace, tired of living amidst strife, unrest, and relentless terror.

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4 hours ago

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March 16, 2025

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a candid podcast with Lex Fridman released on Sunday, March 16, expressed his disappointment over Pakistan’s response to India’s peace initiatives, stating that every attempt to improve bilateral ties was met with hostility and betrayal. He expressed hope that wisdom would prevail among Pakistan’s leadership to choose the path of peace.

Recalling his early efforts to mend relations, Modi mentioned inviting then-Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony in 2014 as a gesture of goodwill. “It was a diplomatic gesture unlike any in decades. Even those who questioned my foreign policy approach were surprised. Our former President Pranab Mukherjee beautifully captured this historic moment in his memoir,” Modi said.

However, he lamented that the desired outcome was not achieved. “Every noble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal. We sincerely hope that wisdom prevails upon them, and they choose the path of peace,” he added. Modi also expressed empathy for the people of Pakistan, stating that they too must yearn for peace, tired of living amidst strife, unrest, and relentless terror.

On U.S.-India relations and President Trump

Modi also spoke about his strong bond with U.S. President Donald Trump, describing him as a leader who prioritizes national interests, much like himself. He praised Trump’s courage and decisiveness, recalling how the U.S. President sat among the audience during the ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston in 2019 while Modi addressed the crowd.

“That was his humility. The President of the United States sitting in the audience while I spoke from the stage—it was a remarkable gesture,” Modi said. He also shared a memorable moment when Trump agreed to walk through the packed stadium to greet the audience, despite concerns from his security team. “His entire security detail was thrown off guard, but that moment showed his courage and trust in me. It was a testament to the strong bond between us,” Modi added.

Reflecting on Trump’s resilience, Modi highlighted the U.S. President’s dedication to his country, even after being shot during the election campaign last year. “Even after being shot, he remained unwavering in his commitment to America. His ‘America First’ spirit resonates with my ‘India First’ approach. That’s why we connect so well,” Modi said.

He also commended Trump’s preparedness in his second term, noting that the U.S. President has a clear roadmap and a capable team to implement his vision. Modi mentioned meeting key members of Trump’s administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and tech mogul Elon Musk.

Modi emphasized that politicians are often perceived through the lens of media coverage, which can create misunderstandings. “People rarely get the chance to truly meet or personally know one another. Perhaps third-party intervention is the real cause of tensions,” he said, advocating for direct engagement and mutual understanding among global leaders.

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Entertainment

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas spotted together again, reigniting dating rumors

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas were seen together for the second time in London, adding fuel to ongoing romance speculation. The Hollywood stars have yet to address the dating rumors.

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5 hours ago

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March 16, 2025

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Tom Cruise, Ana de Armas, Hollywood actors, celebrity dating rumors, London Heliport, entertainment news

Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas have once again sparked romance rumors after being seen together in London. The duo was spotted arriving at the London Heliport on the evening of March 14, marking their second public outing in recent weeks.

According to reports, the two actors appeared relaxed and comfortable in casual attire, engaging in lively conversations and laughter with the heliport staff. Their recent joint appearances have intensified speculation about a possible romantic relationship.

Tom and Ana’s growing closeness

The romance rumors initially began circulating over Valentine’s Day weekend last month when Tom and Ana were first photographed together. The duo was seen walking through London’s Soho neighborhood, with Ana carrying takeout food. They also stopped to interact with fans and pose for photographs, further fueling dating speculations.

Neither Tom, who has been filming a movie in England directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, nor Ana have addressed these rumors. In a recent encounter with Spanish media in Madrid, Ana declined to comment when asked whether her outing with Tom was personal or work-related.

Past relationships and media interest

Ana de Armas has been linked to Tinder executive Paul Boukadakis in 2023 and previously dated actor Ben Affleck from 2020 to 2021. Tom Cruise, on the other hand, has maintained a relatively private personal life in recent years.

As of now, representatives for both actors have not responded to requests for comments on their relationship status. However, their recent outings together continue to keep fans and media buzzing with speculation.

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India News

BJP appoints district presidents for UP’s 68 district, check names here, CM Yogi Adityanath extends congratulations

BJP has released the list of new district presidents for 68 districts in Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the appointees.

Published

5 hours ago

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March 16, 2025

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After nearly two months of internal deliberations, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced the names of its district and metropolitan presidents in Uttar Pradesh. The declaration, made by district election officers, marks a shift from the traditional practice of releasing a consolidated list from Lucknow. The appointments coincide with the BJP’s statewide “Organisation Festival 2025” celebrations.

Key appointments in major cities

In Lucknow, Anand Dwivedi has been appointed as the new Metropolitan President, while Vijay Maurya takes over as District President. Rajkumar Gupta has been named as Metropolitan President in Agra, with Prashant Poonia appointed as the District President. Meanwhile, Akash Pal has been reappointed as District President in Moradabad, and Girish Bhandula, a textile trader, will serve as Metropolitan President.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extends congratulations

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the newly appointed BJP office-bearers on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed confidence in their ability to strengthen the party’s organisation and contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of security and good governance in the state.

Full list of newly appointed BJP district and metropolitan presidents in UP

So far, 68 out of 98 organisational districts have received new appointments, with the remaining positions expected to be announced soon.

District-wise BJP presidents in Uttar Pradesh:

Bulandshahr: Vikas Chauhan (Repeat)

Etawah: Annu Gupta

Ghazipur: Om Prakash Rai

Lalitpur: Harishchandra Rawat

Amethi: Sudhanshu Shukla

Agra (Metropolitan): Rajkumar Gupta

Agra (District): Prashant Poonia

Moradabad (District): Akash Pal (Repeat)

Moradabad (Metropolitan): Girish Bhandula

Kasganj: Neeraj Sharma

Ghaziabad (Metropolitan): Mayank Goyal

Lucknow (District): Vijay Maurya

Maharajganj: Sanjay Pandey

Unnao: Anurag

Raebareli: Buddhi Lal

Noida & Gautam Buddha Nagar (District): Abhishek Sharma

Noida (Metropolitan): Mahesh Chauhan

Lucknow (Metropolitan): Anand Dwivedi

Sonbhadra: Nandlal Gupta

Meerut (Metropolitan): Vivek Rastogi

Gorakhpur (District): Janardan Tiwari

Gorakhpur (Metropolitan): Devesh Srivastava

Azamgarh: Dhruv Singh

Lalganj: Vinod Rajbhar

Basti: Vivekanand Mishra

Bhadohi: Deepak Mishra

Kanpur South: Shivram Singh

Pratapgarh: Ashish Srivastava (Repeat)

Rampur: Harish Gangwar

Mainpuri: Mamta Rajput

Farrukhabad: Fateh Chandra Verma

Mathura (District): Nirbhay Pandey

Mathura (Metropolitan): Raju Yadav

Bahraich: Brajesh Pandey (Repeat)

Sultanpur: Sushil Tripathi

Auraiya: Sarvesh Katheria

Balrampur: Ravi Mishra

Gonda: Amar Kishore Kashyap

Shravasti: Mishri Lal Verma

Kanpur North (Metropolitan): Anil Dixit

Kanpur Dehat: Renuka Sachan

Kanpur Rural: Upendra Nath Paswan

Kannauj: Veer Kumar Singh Bhadauria

Sant Kabir Nagar: Neetu Singh

Maharajganj (Alternate Mention): Ashok alias Sanjay Pandey

Mau: Ramashray Maurya

Ballia: Sanjay Mishra

Prayagraj (Ganga-Paar region): Nirmala Paswan

Prayagraj (Yamuna-Paar region): Rajesh Shukla

Prayagraj (Metropolitan): Sanjay Gupta

Machhlishahr: Ajay Kumar Singh

Mahoba: Mohanlal Kushwaha

Chitrakoot: Mahendra Kotarya

The remaining district presidents will be announced in the coming days.

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