The Supreme Court has today reinstated Alok Verma, the CBI Chief who was shunted out of his post via a dramatic midnight order three months ago. Verma shot to fame after going toe to toe with his deputy Rakesh Asthana amidst allegations ranging from misusing CBI resources for serving the agenda of powerful political masters to corruption and bribery, to orchestrating a cover-up of investigations.
The entire drama, dubbed CBI vs CBI, had unfolded last October even as the Rafale deal raised temperatures around key members of the central government for their alleged complicity in what is being touted as a major scam along the lines of the Bofors deal. The three months that Verma has been away could prove to be crucial with respect to investigations into the case.
But Verma’s reinstatement appears to be a toothless act of tokenism given how he is not allowed to take any policy decisions till a Central Vigilance Committee probe on corruption charges against him gets over. Additionally a high powered committee comprising the Prime Minister, leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. Oppostition parties though have welcomed Verma’s reinstatement.
