‘Are we donkeys?’: What headlines of English dailies say about #AlokVerma

Barely two days after he was reinstated by the Supreme Court, Alok Verma was removed from his position as the CBI chief on January 10. The decision came after a selection committee meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The committee also included Supreme Court judge Justice AK Sikri and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. The committee had initially included Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi who dropped out on January 9 and nominated Sikri instead.

Out of 11 allegations levelled against Verma, six are yet to be substantiated or require more investigations and one is found to be incorrect, The Telegraph reported.

In a statement, Alok Verma said the CBI being a prime investigating agency dealing in corruption in high public places is an institution whose independence should be preserved and protected. “It must function without external influences. I have tried to uphold the integrity of the institution while attempts were being made to destroy it. The same can be seen from the orders of the central government and the CVC dated October 23, 2018, which were without jurisdiction and were set aside,” he said.

Verma also stated: “It is said that based on (sic) false, unsubstantiated and frivolous allegations made by only one person, who was inimical to me, I have been transferred…” Responding to Verma’s statement, former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said, “Don’t think Alok Verma’s statements are in good taste…It has spoilt the name of the agency and CBI.”

Alok Verma’s sacking made it to the front page Delhi’s leading English dailies. The Indian Express led with “Fired, ceremoniously.” The strap read: “Out, in, out: CBI director Alok Verma moved to fire services and home guards”. The front page also carried stories on Kharge’s dissent and Verma’s statement. In his dissent note, Kharge insisted that the “committee should not arrive at a conclusion without hearing Verma…under the principles of natural justice”. The Congress veteran also sought an independent probe into the midnight events leading up to Verma’s disinvestment from office.

The Times of India led with, “48 hrs after SC reinstated him, panel shunts Verma out of CBI.” The lead story also noted: “Lone dissenter Kharge sought extension for Verma.”

Hindustan Times headline read: “Alok Verma removed as CBI chief by PM’s panel”. The strap noted, “2-1 order Kharge dissents as Modi, Sikri transfer Verma citing CVC report; back at helm”.

The Hindu led with, “PM-led panel moves Alok Verma out of CBI, Rao back in charge”, meanwhile the Calcutta edition of The Telegraph in its banner headline asked: “Are we donkeys?”

In its coverage, The Telegraph put together the “ostensible reasons” why Verma was shunted out, along with a summary of the events that led up to his disinvestment from office. The paper also listed the CVC finding for each charge.