Notice to CBI ex-chief to explain his conduct
NEW DELHI : Alok Verma, former director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has been sent a so-called show-cause notice to explain his conduct on two counts, including his alleged role in helping an accused in the IRCTC corruption case, people familiar with the matter said.
The move was in the air in early February itself, when reports, including one in this newspaper, said the government was contemplating such a move; HT now learns that a notice has been sent.
The former CBI chief has also been asked to explain the charge that he did not finalise the investigation against a joint director of the agency before the officer was repatriated to his cadre, a person with knowledge of the matter said on condition of anonymity. Verma did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment. Verma was removed as the head of CBI on January 10, 2019, by a high-level selection committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Justice AK Sikri, the nominee of the Chief Justice of India in a 2-1 decision (Kharge dissented). He was asked to take over as DG Fire Services, which he refused.