Verma's removal caused controversy in India and was questioned by legal experts and opposition leaders because of the absence of any evidence to prove allegations of corruption that had been levelled against him.

Patnaik, who was appointed by the Court to monitor the enquiry being conducted by the CVC, termed the decision of the committee as very hasty and indicated that there was no evidence of corruption against Alok Kumar Verma.

Along with Rakesh Asthana, Special Director CBI, Verma was entangled in a corruption controversy: both accused each other of bribery and on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission, both were subsequently asked by the government to go on leave.

After one day, the selection committee agreed that Verma be transferred to the position of Director General of Fire Safety, Civil Defence and Home Guard.

It would have been better had the selection committee taken a little more time to appreciate the evidence and taken an informed decision.”[17] In a subsequent press release Verma said that he was trying to "uphold CBI's integrity"[18] but was removed as a result of a baseless allegation by one person (Asthana) who was inimical to him.

[19] In his letter [20] to the DoPT, Verma said that he did not get an opportunity to present his case and wrote that "Natural justice was scuttled and the entire process was turned upside down in ensuring that the undersigned is removed from the post of the Director CBI.

Lodha who coined the phrase "caged parrot" for the Central Bureau of Investigation's plight as a prisoner of government's demands also commented on how its independence needed to be preserved.