The Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma, setting aside the Centre's decision to divest him of his powers, but restrained him from taking any major policy decision till the CVC probe into corruption charges against him is over.
The top court said any further decision against Verma, who was sent on leave following the Centre's October 23 decision and retires on January 31, would be taken by the high-powered committee which selects and appoints the CBI director.
Reacting to the court order, the Congress said, "Narendra Modi is the first prime minister to have "his illegal orders set aside by the Supreme Court."
Other parties also joined the Congress to say the top court had dealt a blow to the government with its order reinstating Verma.
"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.
He asked Modi to remember that governments had come and gone but the integrity of institutions had survived.
"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 (sic)," Surjewala said on Twitter.
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi questioned the Supreme Court verdict asking what has changed now.
"Before the Supreme Court verdict; Alok Verma didn't have powers of CBI Chief, couldn't take any decision on policy or investigation. After Supreme Court verdict: Ditto," Singhvi tweeted.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha described the order as a "big slap" on the face of the government.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the order was a direct indictment of the government.
"SC reinstating CBI director Alok Verma is a direct indictment of the PM. Modi govt has ruined all institutions and democracy in our country. Wasn't CBI director illegally removed at midnight to stall the probe in Rafale scam which directly leads to PM himself?" the Aam Aadmi Party chief said on Twitter.
Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan said the Supreme Court order was a partial victory for Verma.
"He has been restored but strangely he has been restrained from taking any policy decisions," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
