The Cabinet Committee on Appointments has now posted Mr. Verma as Director-General, Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, for the remaining period of his present term that ends on January 31.

And, until further orders, Additional Director M. Nageswara Rao has again been appointed interim CBI Director. The panel concluded that as the head of a sensitive organisation, “Mr. Verma was not functioning with the integrity expected of him”. It noted that the CVC had found evidence of influencing investigation in Moin Qureshi case. Further, a government source claimed there was evidence of a Rs. 2 crore bribe and in the IRCTC case pertaining to the tenure of former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, a key name was left out of the FIR, as alleged.

The CVC was of the view that Mr. Verma’s conduct in the case was suspicious, and there was a prima facie case against him. It also “felt” that the entire truth would come out if a criminal investigation was ordered. The CVC’s report against Mr. Verma was also the basis for the government to send him on forced leave, following which he approached the Supreme Court. Reacting to Mr. Verma’s removal, Congress leader Anand Sharma said the high-powered Committee failed to deliver justice and alleged the CVC was under directions of the government.