CBI officers were sent on leave post-CVC's recommendation, says Arun Jaitley

The Supreme Court today reinstated the exiled CBI chief Alok Verma, three months after the government sent him on leave in a midnight scoop. Reacting to the latest development, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the decision was taken after the recommendation of the CVC.

"This action was taken perfectly bonafide as there were cross-allegations made by both the officers and in accordance with the recommendations of the CVC. The government had felt that in the larger interest of a fair and impartial investigation and credibility of the CBI, the 2 officers must recuse themselves," he said.

"The SC apparently has strengthened the immunity given to CBI director in the larger interest of the fair and impartial investigation. Therefore in accordance with the direction of the SC, orders will be complied with and the government will act in the same manner," he further added.

The opposition parties, on the other hand, slammed the Modi government and said that the court had dealt a big blow to the government with its order reinstating Verma and setting aside the Centre's decision divesting him of his powers and sending him on leave.   

"Modiji adds another 1st to his list. After being the first PM to be exposed destroying the #CBI before the SC, After having ruined CVC's credibility  (requiring supervision by former SC judge), Mr. Modi has now become 1st PM to have his illegal orders set aside by the SC," tweeted Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

"Let this be a lesson to you about the strength of our democracy and the Constitution. Let this be a lesson that howsoever despotic u may be, law catches up in the end," Surjewala said on Twitter. According to CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Verma's reinstatement by the Supreme Court was a "direct indictment" of Modi and his office.

"Will he take responsibility for this blatantly illegal act? If he has any moral conscience he should quit. Accountability, anyone or is it just #jumlas?" Yechury asked on Twitter.