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Editor’s Note

CBI mustn’t forget ‘Industry,

Impartiality and Integrity’

The resignaTion by the former being even-handed in asking both Verma and Asthana
CBI Director Alok Verma a day to proceed on leave. The case has exposed an uncom-
after a high-powered commit- fortable truth that the legal protection for the CBI
tee removed him from his post, Director from external interference is still not as strong
is a disturbing denouement to a as the Nation had been made to believe. Though the
sordid episode. Institutions judge Supreme Court had declared that no authority, other
a country. It is ironic that the pre- than the high-powered selection committee, could
sent government appointed him as transfer the Director of CBI, the ball was still in the
its choice but soon the incumbent fell into court of the government. In tearing hurry, the gov-
disfavour with it. Questions will be raised as to why ernment quickly convened a meeting, which despite
in the first place, the due procedure was not followed a dissenting note by Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun
for his removal, leading to its reversal by the Supreme Kharge, ordered Verma’s transfer as the Prime Minis-
Court. Again, he was not given the natural justice- ter and Justice Sikri sealed his fate 2-1. Such an act has
an opportunity to explain. This becomes even more serious implications for CBI’s autonomy. An important
important keeping in view the fact that the entire CVC lesson from the entire episode is that existing safe-
report was based on the charges by CBI Director’s guards are still not enough to checkmate political inter-
deputy, who himself is under investigation by the CBI. ference. The CBI has been politicised and its credibility
Verma has claimed that the CVC report was based only put to test. It should be made clear that in a parliamen-
on the complainant’s corruption charges and not on tary democracy, the executive should not be allowed
the ‘findings’ of CVC, making it CBI versus CBI. To add to infringe on the rights and autonomy of institutions.
to it, a majority of members of CVC is appointed by the Now the onus is on the government and the CBI to
ruling dispensation. It appears that the committee did restore the credibility of this premier probe agency of
not hear the CBI Director because the CVC, had already the country. Uphill task for the agency is to get its act
heard him in the presence of the retired judge, Justice together to change its public perception. It has to live
A.K. Patnaik, a supervisor appointed by the Supreme unto its motto- ‘Industry, Impartiality and Integrity’!
Court. The CBI Director may have been guilty, but the
way his case was handled, smacks of carelessness and
unpreparedness. It was obvious from the beginning
that the government did not want Verma to continue,
although it sought to give the impression that it was (chARAnjIt AhujA)

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