The Organs of Indian Democracy: The Removal of Alok Verma from the CBI and Its Implications
Introduction
The recent ouster of CBI Director Alok Verma from his position just a fortnight after he was reinstated by the Supreme Court marks a troubling period in the annals of Indian democracy. This episode highlights the ongoing crisis within the independent institutions that are essential to preserving democracy.
The Prelude to the Removal
The removal of Alok Verma from his position as CBI director can be traced back to a murky power struggle within the organization. Tensions simmered as Rakesh Asthana, Special Director, was appointed over Alok Verma's objections, despite allegations of corruption against Asthana. This power tussle reached a boiling point in October 2018 when prominent lawyer Prashant Bhushan and former ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha approached Verma, demanding a probe into the Rafale deal and other corrupt practices.
An Adverse Reaction
The government's response to Verma's appointed task was swift but far from resolute. As the situation escalated, Alok Verma was formally booked for bribery, and another officer was arrested. Verma also sought to authenticate Rafale-related documents, leading to another upheaval.
Abusive Leadership and Unconstitutional Actions
Reacting to these developments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attempted to unconstitutionally remove Alok Verma from his position. The CBI, a pillar of independent institutions, was essentially dismantled as major investigation teams were disbanded and officers were transferred to remote locations. The building itself was sealed, further exacerbating the situation.
A Trial by Fire
Verma promptly took his case to the Supreme Court, where a majority ruling reinstated him as CBI director. However, the minority verdict, led by the Chief Justice of India, referred his case to a high-powered selection committee, comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and a CJI representative.
Challenges to the Ouster
Just days after his reinstatement, the PM-led committee hastily voted to oust Verma yet again. The committee's justification was based on half-baked reports from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), with no substantive evidence presented. This decision, taken without due process, sparked significant backlash, with even a retired Supreme Court judge, Justice A K Patnaik, condemning the haste and lack of evidence. He emphasized that there was “no evidence of corruption” against Verma.
A Crisis of Democracy
Such actions set a dangerous precedent, undermining the integrity of India's democratic institutions. The recent history of independent courts, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and other crucial bodies being attacked by the governmental administration for political gain raises serious concerns about the state of democracy in India.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The ouster of Alok Verma is just one piece of a larger puzzle that paints a grim picture for Indian democracy. It is high time the government imprisoned by ideologies acknowledged its errors and worked with political will and bipartisanship to restore these institutions to their rightful status.
For the sake of freedom and the rule of law, we must all act to safeguard these independent institutions.