New Delhi: A high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting for the second time within 24 hours on Thursday to decide the fate of CBI Director Alok Verma, who was reinstated by a Supreme Court order after he was sent on forced leave by the government.
The panel's meet held Wednesday had remained inconclusive, officials said, without giving further details.
The CBI chief and his deputy Special Director Rakesh Asthana were sent on the forced leave over two months ago to stop the "kilkenny cat fight" between them. They had accused each other of corruption.
Verma, who resumed office on Wednesday, had revoked most of the transfers done by M Nageshwar Rao, who was appointed as the interim CBI chief in his absence, signalling that he was ready for a showdown with the Centre.
The officers, whose transfers orders have been ordered to be withdrawn by Verma, are considered to be his confidants, the officials said.
The PM-headed panel comprises the Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Supreme Court judge, and the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha. Nominated by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Supreme Court judge Justice A K Sikri and leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had attended the Wednesday meeting, the officials said.
Kharge has sought documents, including the enquiry report by the Central Vigilance Commission into the matter. "I have asked certain documents from the government concerning the matter including the CVC's enquiry reports," he told reporters here.
Gogoi has opted out of the panel's meet as he was part of the bench that gave the verdict on Tuesday which reinstated Verma as the CBI director.
The top court had asked the government to convene the meeting within a week of its order. It had quashed the government's unprecedented "overnight" order issued in October last year, stripping Verma of his powers and sending him on leave after he and his deputy traded corruption charges, sparking a bitter feud.
The court, while reinstating Verma, however, made it clear that he will desist from taking any major policy decision till a high-powered committee considers the issue of "divestment of power and authority".
Verma had challenged his ouster from the CBI in the apex court.
Asthana has also approached the Delhi High Court for quashing of an FIR registered by the CBI, reportedly at the instance of Verma, in an alleged corruption case. A decision in this regard is pending in the high court.
Verma's two-year fixed tenure as CBI director ends on January 31.
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