Alok Kumar Verma was on Tuesday allowed to come back as CBI Director, albeit with his wings clipped, by the Supreme Court, which gave a jolt to the Centre and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) by setting aside their orders divesting him of his powers and sending him on leave.

However, the sword "of divestment of power and authority" of Verma is still hanging on his head as the apex court said it was "still open" for the high-powered committee, which selects the CBI chief, to consider the matter within a week since the CVC is probing the charges of corruption against him. It also made it clear that on reinstatement, Verma will cease and desist from taking any major policy decisions till the committee's decision.