New Delhi
Terming the Centre’s unprecedented decision to divest CBI Director Alok Verma of his powers and functions as “completely illegal and arbitrary”, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday moved the SC. He has demanded the quashing of the October 23 orders issued by the CVC and DoPT.

The orders of the Central Vigilance Commission and the Department of Personnel and Training divesting Verma of his powers, functions and duties is a “direct and concerted attempt” to impede on the independent functioning of the CBI Director, said Kharge, who is also part of the three-member selection panel which appoints the CBI Director. He said as a concerned stakeholder, he wanted to bring to the attention of the court the “brazen and illegal actions” of the political executive in interfering with the independent functioning of the CBI Director. The selection panel consists of the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of the Opposition party/the single largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha.

“The entire action of the CVC vide its order dated October 23 and the DoPT vide order dated October 23 seeking to divest CBI Director Alok Verma of his statutory powers and functions is completely illegal, arbitrary, punitive and without jurisdiction,” Kharge said.