Fight between Big 2 exposed CBI to ridicule: Centre to SC

New Delhi: The Centre Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the battle between two top officers of the CBI - Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana - in public exposed the premier probe agency to ridicule.

Resuming his submissions, Attorney General K K Venugopal told a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that the fight between the two officers impacted the image of the CBI.

The Centre's main aim was to see that confidence of the public in this premier institution (CBI) is restored, he said.

"Dispute between CBI Director and Special Director was pulling down integrity and respect of premier institution," he told the bench also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph.

Venugopal said the fight between them had created an unprecedented and extraordinary situation.

The apex court on Nov 29 had said it would first consider whether the government has the power to divest the CBI director of his duties under whatever circumstances or whether the selection committee headed by the Prime Minister should have been approached before moving against Verma on corruption allegations against him.

Verma's two-year tenure ends on January 31. He has challenged the Centre's decision.

The Supreme Court is hearing Alok Verma's petition against forced leave and his response to a vigilance report on him.