Rafale, Sabarimala, CBI: Busy week for SC after the break

SC GAVE CVC TWO WEEKS TO COMPLETE THE PROBE AGAINST THE CBI DIRECTOR, WHO HAS ACCUSED THE GOVT OF INTERFERING WITH THE AGENCY’S AUTONOMY

NEW DELHI: Convening after Diwali holidays on Monday, the Supreme Court will take up pleas on India’s most-debated issues in the next three days, when it will hear petitions pertaining to an infighting in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the entry of women into Kerala’s Sabarimala temple and the deal to buy 36 Rafale jets from France.

To kick-start what is likely to be a high-voltage week, the court is expected to hear on Monday the petition of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma, who has challenged the government’s move to divest him of powers last month over an internal battle with deputy Rakesh Asthana, who too has been sent on leave. Both have accused each other of bribery.

The Chief Vigilance Commission (CVC) is investigating allegations against Verma.

In an October 26 order, the court gave CVC two weeks to complete the probe against Verma, who has accused the government of interfering with CBI’S independence and auton- omy. It also said the inquiry will be done under the supervision of a retired SC judge in a “one-time exception”.

People familiar with the matter say CVC has completed its probe and will file a report before the court on Monday.

The Congress party’s leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, too has filed a petition in the matter, saying he should be heard because he is a member of the three-member committee that selects the CBI chief.

The other two panel members are the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Kharge is part of the panel as the leader of the largest opposition party in Parliament’s Lower House.

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