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CJI recuses from hearing challenge to appointment of Rao as acting CBI chief

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New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on Monday recused himself from hearing a plea by NGO Common Cause challenging the appointment of M. Nageswara Rao as the interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after the ouster of Alok Verma.

As the plea by Common Cause came up for hearing before a bench headed by CJI Gogoi, he recused from hearing the matter saying he would be participating in the Selection Committee to pick a new regular head of the investigating agency.

The Chief Justice said it would be heard by a bench headed by Justice A.K. Sikri on January 24.

The selection panel comprises the Prime Minister, leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice. Thus its members are Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and CJI Ranjan Gogoi.

The meeting of the Selection Committee is set for January 24.

Seeking the quashing of the January 10 decision to appoint Rao as acting head, the NGO has contended that it was “illegal, arbitrary, mala fide and in violation of the Delhi Police Special Establishment (DPSE) Act” and the judgement of the apex court in the Alok Verma and Vineet Narain cases.

It has sought laying down of a specific mechanisms to ensure transparency in the appointment process to the investigation agency.

Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendents of Police A.K. Bassi on Monday moved the top court challenging the January 11 order transferring him to Port Blair.

Contending that his transfer was “vitiated by mala fide and non-application of mind”, Bassi said that his transfer order was violative of the top court’s direction issued on January 8 in former CBI Director Alok Verma’s case.

Asserting that the transfer order was intended to “vicitimis” him and “unfairly prejudice the investigation against (former Special Director) Rakesh Asthana”, Bassi contended that the transfer order was passed by interim Director Naeswara Rao who is “not competent to pass such orders”.

He said that a regular CBI Director alone was competent to issue transfer orders.

After the removal of former Alok Verma as the head of the investigating agency on January 10, Additional Director Nageswara Rao was appointed as interim Director who upon taking the charge nullified all the transfer orders issued by Verma after he was reinstated by the top court on January 8.

Earlier too, on October 24 when Rao was appointed as interim Director, he had transferred 13 CBI officials including Joint Director (Policy) A.K. Sharma, Deputy Inspectors General M.K. Sinha, Anish Prasad, K.R. Chaurasia and Tarun Gauba, Additional Superintendent of Police S.S. Gurm and Deputy Superintendents of Police A.K. Bassi and Ashwani Kumar.

These orders were revoked by Verma after he was reinstated by the top court on January 8.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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