CBI vs CBI: removal of CBI officials illegal and unconstitutional, says Abhishek Manu Singhvi

Reacting sharply to the midnight removal of the former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma and subsequent transfers of many officials, the Congress party on Wednesday came down heavily on the Modi government, and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of interfering in the working of the top investigative agency.

“BJP is demolishing CBI to save itself. Government is attempting to save the accused by violating SC order. CVC has no power to interfere in removal, appointment or reappointment,” said senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi.

“Removal of CBI top officials is illegal and unconstitutional,” said Singhvi, adding that the Modi government and senior BJP leaders, scared over the Rafale issue.

Talking to the media, Singhvi said,“They have implemented the ‘Gujarat model’ at the Centre and in the CBI.”

The government has removed Verma to control the premier agency and avoid the day of reckoning arising from “Rafale-o-phobia” pointed out Singhvi, adding that the Modi government has violated the CBI Act also with its move to remove Verma.

The press conference addressed by Singhvi can be watched here:

Echoing Singhvi views, former Law Minister M Veerappa Moily opined that the removal of the CBI director was not only “illegal but unethical and unconstitutional” also.

Adding Lokpal angle to the ongoing controversy, Congress leader Manish Tewari said according to the Lokpal Act and the Supreme Court judgment in the Jain Hawala case, the CBI director has a fixed tenure of two years.

“Government cannot curtail tenure/take interim measures without a meeting of Committee consisting of PM, CJI and leader of Opposition/single largest party,” he posted on Twitter.