The Supreme Court on Friday set a two-week deadline for the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to complete its probe against CBI chief Alok Verma, who along with Special Director Rakesh Asthana was divested of their duties and sent on leave following their bitter feud, and appointed a former apex court judge to monitor the inquiry.

The direction by the top court that was welcomed by both the government and the Opposition Congress came amid nationwide protests outside the CBI offices by Congress leaders led by party chief Rahul Gandhi against the order of the government to strip Verma of his powers and sending him on leave. The Congress demanded "reinstatement" of Verma.