‘Uncomplimentary’ findings in report on CBI chief, court says

Bench orders report be given to Verma in a sealed cover, asks him to respond by Monday

India’s Supreme Court yesterday said the “exhaustive” preliminary report by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on allegations against Central Bureau of Intelligence director Alok Verma has concluded that some findings are “complimentary” and some “very uncomplimentary”, needing further investigation by the panel.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi ordered that the confidential CVC report be given to Verma in a sealed cover and asked him to respond to it by Monday, also in a sealed cover. It will take up the matter on Tuesday.

Request turned down

The bench, also comprising Justices S.K. Kaul and K.M. Joseph, said the CVC inquiry, which was being supervised by former apex court judge Justice A.K. Patnaik, has given an exhaustive report on the charges against Verma.

“CVC has filed an exhaustive report. The report has been categorised and is very complimentary on some charges, not so complimentary some charges and very uncomplimentary on some charges. CVC report says some charges are required to be investigated and they need time,” the bench said.

The top court said the CVC report should also be given to Attorney General K.K. Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The court turned down Special CBI Director Rakesh Asthana’s request that the CVC report be provided to him as well.