Justice AK Sikri on panel to decide fate of CBI Director Alok Verma

Justice AK Sikri of the Supreme Court has been made part of the Committee that will decide whether Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma will continue in his office, according to news reports..Reports suggest that the Committee, which also comprises Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, will convene today at 8 PM to decide Verma’s fate..Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi reportedly recused from being part of the Committee, in light of the fact that he delivered yesterday’s verdict of the Supreme Court reinstating Verma. Therefore, Justice AK Sikri – the second seniormost judge of the Supreme Court – will take his place on the Committee..Assuming that the Prime Minister sticks to the Centre’s stance on divesting Verma of his powers, and in light of the fact that Kharge had challenged the orders passed by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in the Supreme Court, Justice Sikri could very well be the tie-breaker that would decide Verma’s future as CBI Director..In yesterday’s verdict, the Court held that the issue surrounding Verma’s transfer would now be considered by the Committee under Section 4A(1) of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (DSPE Act), which is required to come to a decision within a week. However, reports suggest that the Committee will meet as early as this evening..This case reached the Supreme Court in October 2018 after the Centre sent Alok Verma on leave, effectively divesting him of his powers as the Director of the CBI. The DoPT and the CVC issued notices in a midnight move on October 29 announcing this decision..Through the same notice, the Centre also divested CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana of his powers. This unprecedented move came in the wake of infighting between Verma and Asthana.