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SC orders CVC to complete probe against Alok Verma within two weeks

Published

7 years ago

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SC orders CVC to complete probe against Alok Verma within two weeks

Interim CBI chief M Nageshwar Rao restrained from any policy decisions w.e.f. the day he took charge

Without going into the legality or otherwise of government’s decision to divest CBI Director Alok Verma of his powers and send him on compulsory leave, the Supreme Court today ordered the Chief Vigilance Commission (CVC) to complete any enquiry against him within two weeks.

The CVC probe will be monitored by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice AK Patnaik,

The Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, SK Kaul and KM Joseph was hearing a plea filed by Verma challenging the Centre’s decision to send him on leave and appoint CBI joint director M Nageshwar Rao as the agency’s interim chief.

The top court also restrained interim CBI director M Nageshwar Rao from taking any policy decisions. He will only look after the functioning of the agency, the court ruled.All decisions taken by Nageshwar Rao from the date of his appointment as interim director till this hour will be submitted to the court in a sealed cover, the bench said, according to media reports.

Rao had, within hours of taking charge as the interim chief,transferred a number of officers in CBI, posting out all officers investigating corruption cases against controversial CBI special director Rakesh Asthana and replacing them with officers seen close to Asthanato carry out the investigations pending against him in six corruption cases.

Asthana is a 1984-batch Gujarat cadre officer known for his proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

There has been a running feud between Verma and Asthana, with Verma questioning the decision to appoint Asthana to CBI, citing corruption cases, two years ago. The government was, thus, aware of the problem. Asthana had also complained to CVC about Verma, accusing him of corruption.

As the CBI under Verma carried on with case against Asthana, it filed a FIR on October 15, special director Rakesh Asthana and Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar, in a Rs 3 crore bribery case linked with controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi.Kumar was arrested and both he and Asthana challenged the FIR in Delhi High Court.

The government finally woke up on Tuesday when Verma relieved Asthana of his responsibilities. In an overnight action, a move that has invited speculation as well as criticism, the government, in the wee hours of Wednesday, divested Verma of hs powers and sent both him and Asthana on compulsory leave and appointed CBI joint director M Nageshwar Rao as interim director.

Verma challenged the decision stating that the CBI director is, by law and Supreme Court’s directives, granted a fixed two-year tenure and cannot be transferred before this term unless the collegium responsible for his appointment – the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and Leader of Opposition – carry out a full scale enquiry to justify the transfer. Verma also told the top court that his ouster was the result of certain investigations being carried out by the CBI, including those against Asthana, which had the potential of putting high officials of the Narendra Modi government in the dock.

The Centre defended its decision of sending Verma and Asthana arguing that their factional feud had reached its peak and could tarnish the reputation and credibility of the premier investigating agency.

On Friday, while the court of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi was hearing Verma’s petition, the CBI chief’s counsel, senior advocate Fali Nariman, argued that the Centre’s decision to send him on leave was a violation of the DSPE Act that grants the agency’s director a secured two-year term. Verma’s term was to end on January 18 next year.

The CJI then said that the CVC should conduct an enquiry on the charges against Verma (the Centre has alleged that Verma was not cooperating with the CVC in certain cases involving CBI officials while Asthana has accused the CBI chief, in a complaint to the CVC, linking him to bribery case) within 10 days and that the probe will be monitored by a Supreme Court-appointed judge.

However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to grant the CVC more time to complete the enquiry, stating that 10 days was too little time.

The CJI initially joked that the court could instead give 240 hours to the CVC to finish its probe. Later, it said that the CVC must finish the enquiry within two weeks and that the interim CBI chief would, during this period, be retrained from taking any policy decisions. The court also said that in case there are essential decisions to be taken by the interim chief, a list of all such decisions and the reasons that compelled them must be maintained for possible perusal by the court, if needed.

The top court will hear Verma’s petition on November 25 now. On that day, the court could also hear a similar petition filed by Asthana challenging the Centre’s decision of sending him on leave and another petition filed by NGO Common Cause that highlights instances of government interference in the CBI’s functioning. The top court refused to hear Asthana’s petition on Friday stating that it had not received the relevant documents related to the case.

As for the question of whether the government has the power to divest the CBI Director of his powers and send him on compulsory leave, in effect removing him, the CBI Director Verma’s legal team said the SC bench will take go into it later.

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Delhi to install 305 mist sprayers across 9 major pollution hotspots

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that 305 mist sprayers will be installed across nine pollution hotspots in Delhi, alongside expert-led planning and coordinated measures to reduce dust and biomass-related pollution.

Published

8 hours ago

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December 4, 2025

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Delhi-NCR air quality

The Delhi government has announced a large-scale deployment of mist sprayer technology to tackle rising air pollution, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirming that 305 mist sprayers will be installed across nine pollution hotspots in the capital.

Mist sprayers to curb dust at critical locations

During an inspection at ITO, Gupta said the mist sprayers already operational at the site are performing effectively. She noted that 35 poles at ITO have been fitted with these machines, which are helping suppress dust—a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi.

According to the Chief Minister, trials conducted in certain NDMC areas have shown promising results, reinforcing confidence in the technology.

High-level committee to guide pollution-control measures

Gupta announced the formation of a high-level expert committee that will advise the government on effective measures to reduce pollution. The panel will include senior officials from various departments as well as environmental specialists, including experts from IITs. Officials stated that the committee will receive special powers to implement pollution-mitigation strategies.

Departments directed to repair roads, add greenery

The Chief Minister said departments including PWD, DSIIDC and DDA have been instructed to fix potholes, repair and carpet roads, plant foliage along dividers and islands, and take other measures to reduce pollution sources.

She urged residents to report potholes on the government portal for quicker action.

Appeal to RWAs to prevent biomass burning

To curb winter pollution, Gupta advised Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to distribute electric heaters to security guards to discourage biomass burning, which significantly contributes to seasonal pollution spikes.

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PM Modi welcomes Vladimir Putin with warm hug as Russian President begins India visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a high-profile visit to India on Thursday, welcomed by PM Narendra Modi as both nations prepare to discuss defence, energy and trade cooperation.

Published

9 hours ago

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December 4, 2025

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Vladimir Putin rides in Indian PM Narendra Modi's car on India visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a 27-hour visit focused on strengthening defence, energy and trade cooperation. The visit, marked by a warm embrace and a brief car ride shared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscores the continuity of the India-Russia strategic partnership amid shifting global geopolitics.

Putin receives ceremonial welcome and packed schedule ahead

Putin landed in Delhi around 6:35 pm, where PM Modi personally received him at Palam airport. The two leaders shared a hug before leaving together, with the Prime Minister set to host a private dinner in honour of the visiting President — a reciprocal gesture to the hospitality extended during Modi’s Moscow visit last year.

On Friday, Putin will begin his official engagements with a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a visit to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. He is also scheduled to attend the India-Russia Annual Summit at Hyderabad House, where both sides will hold a working lunch.

The Russian President will later inaugurate a new India-based channel of Russia’s state broadcaster and attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, before departing India on Friday night.

Defence, energy and trade to dominate agenda

Officials have indicated that discussions will centre on defence, energy and trade — the three pillars of the bilateral relationship. Agreements are expected across sectors including shipping, healthcare, fertilisers and connectivity.

Ahead of the summit, defence ministers from both countries held extensive talks, covering additional procurement of S-400 air defence systems and delayed military hardware shipments affected by the Ukraine war. The S-400 platform, procured under a USD 5 billion deal, played a major role during Operation Sindoor.

The Kremlin has also hinted that Russia may propose the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet, which would put Moscow in direct competition with Western aircraft makers.

Energy ties face renewed pressure

India remains among the largest buyers of discounted Russian crude. However, fresh US sanctions on key Russian oil producers have led to a dip in purchases.

Putin’s visit also comes at a time of strain in India-US ties, with Washington recently imposing steep tariffs on Indian goods — including measures linked directly to India’s continued oil trade with Russia.

Massive security deployment in Delhi

Delhi Police have stationed over 5,000 personnel across central and New Delhi districts, supported by SWAT teams, anti-terror units, snipers, quick-reaction teams, anti-drone systems, HD-CCTV networks and layered surveillance measures for the visit.

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Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre ahead of Vladimir Putin’s India visit

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government discourages visiting foreign dignitaries from meeting Opposition leaders, calling it a sign of “insecurity,” hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi.

Published

14 hours ago

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December 4, 2025

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Rahul Gandhi

As Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi today for the India-Russia Annual Summit, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has renewed his charge that the Centre discourages visiting foreign leaders from meeting Opposition representatives. He called it a sign of “insecurity” within the government.

Rahul Gandhi alleges break in long-followed tradition

Speaking outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said that it has traditionally been the norm for visiting foreign leaders to meet the Leader of the Opposition, a practice he claims continued during the tenures of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.

He alleged that the present government advises foreign dignitaries against such meetings. “When foreign leaders come, the government suggests they should not meet the Leader of the Opposition. This is their policy,” Gandhi said. He added that a meeting with the Opposition offers visiting leaders a broader perspective, as “we too represent India.”

Gandhi further stated that this approach reflects the government’s reluctance to allow engagement between the Opposition and foreign guests.

Former Foreign Secretary counters Gandhi’s remarks

Responding to Gandhi’s allegations, former Foreign Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla said visiting leaders operate on very tight schedules and there is no protocol mandating a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition. He stressed that such interactions depend entirely on the guest’s time and preference, noting that the required meetings are those with the President and the Prime Minister.

Putin’s schedule packed with bilateral engagements

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to land in Delhi this evening on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation. His itinerary includes:

  • A private dinner with PM Modi
  • Visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat
  • Engagements at Bharat Mandapam and Hyderabad House
  • A banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu

The visit forms part of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

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