The Congress has condemned the decision to remove Alok Verma as the CBI chief. The party said in a statement that by removing Verma from his position without giving him a chance to present his case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown once again that he is too afraid of an investigation, either by an independent CBI director or Parliament via a JPC.

The party has also demanded a probe into the developments on October 23 and 24 last year that led to the removal of Alok Verma.

The party said what happened on the night of October 23 was illegal and wrong.

Earlier, in the day, Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “1. Why is the PM in such a tearing hurry to sack the CBI Chief ? 2. Why will he not allow the CBI chief to present his case in front of the selection committee? Answer: RAFALE.”

Deputy Leader of the Congress in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said that within four hours of Verma assuming his office, the Prime Minister convened a meeting of the select committee. “He is scared. As soon as the Supreme Court reinstates the CBI Chief, PM Modi’s nervousness grows. He called for a meeting regarding this,” Sharma said.

The Congress leader said there was no reason to interfere in the duties of the CBI Director and urged the Centre to credit the 77 official days, the days he was kept out of the office, back to Verma’s service. “What Modi government did on the night of October 23 was illegal and wrong,” he added.

Sharma added that the role of the Central Vigilance Commissioner is suspicious and he should resign immediately. “Only a Committee including the PMO and the Leader of Opposition has the right to decide on the removal of the CBI chief,” Sharma told reporters here on Thursday.

“Modi himself is complicit in the Rafale scam. He avoided Parliament because he could not contradict the statement of former French President,” Sharma claimed.

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