The Centre is considering disciplinary action against Alok Verma for refusing to take up the charge he had been assigned after being removed as CBI chief early this month, sources in the Union home ministry said on Thursday.

They said all his retirement benefits, including pension, could be put on hold once the disciplinary action is ordered. “It is most likely that disciplinary action will be initiated against him for refusing to join his new posting,” a ministry official said.

Verma had taken on the government and moved the Supreme Court after being benched in a midnight purge on October 23-24.

He was appointed director-general of fire services, civil defence and home guards after being transferred out as CBI director.

But the officer had reached retirement age on July 31, 2017, and was continuing in service because he had a fixed two-year term as CBI director till January 31 this year.

“The undersigned is no longer Director, CBI and has already crossed his superannuation age for DG Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards. Accordingly, the undersigned may be deemed as superannuated with effect from today,” Verma had said in a January 11 letter to the Centre.