BREAKING: Justice AK Sikri Withdraws Consent To Nominate Him To Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal

Reportedly, he was nominated to this post in London based CSAT, by Central Government, last month.This had given rise to a controversy, in the wake of decision of a high power committee, in which the judge was also a member, decided to remove Alok Verma from the post of CBI Director.

About CSAT

CSAT is London based tribunal constituted for resolving disputes involving Commonwealth international or intergovernmental organizations which agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the CSAT. The members to this tribunal are selected by Commonwealth Governments on a regionally representative basis from among persons of high moral character who must hold or have held high judicial office in a Commonwealth country or who are juris consults with at least ten years experience. The members are appointed on a four year term which may be renewed only once. To consider a case before it, the Tribunal is normally composed of a panel of three including the President and two other members selected by the President. [Source: thecommonwealth.org]

Alok Verma's Removal

Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court had set aside the October 23 orders of the Central government and the CVC divesting CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma of the charge of the probe agency, reinstating him to the post with immediate effect. However, the issue regarding suitability of Verma to continue as CBI Director, in view of the allegations against him, was left open to be considered by the Committee. The Committee was directed to take a call on this within a week.

The following day, the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi nominated senior most SC Judge Justice AK Sikri to be part of this high powered committee.

On Thursday, the committee comprising of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Justice A K Sikri (CJI nominee) and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, met to consider the allegations against Alok Verma. The same day, the committee decided to remove Alok Verma from the post of CBI Director and transferred him to the post of Director General Fire Services. The decision was taken with the concurrence of PM Modi and Justice Sikiri, amidst dissent of Kharge.