CBI Director Alok Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana were involved in a tussle over alleged corruption cases.
New Delhi: In what can be described as a perfect midnight drama, both the CBI top officers who were at the loggerheads with each other have been sent on leave. According to the notice issued by the government M Nageshwar Rao, who is a joint director of the CBI will supercede Asthana and will take an interim charge of the premier investigating agency. Nageswar Rao, a 1986 batch officer from Orissa cadre.
After the development, the offices of both Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana have been sealed and all officers working with the CBI director have been sent on leave. Sources say the rooms of all these officers placed on the 10th and 11th floor of the CBI’s Delhi headquarters are being searched.
M Nageshwar Rao takes charge as interim Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director. No room at CBI headquarters has been sealed: CBI spokesperson pic.twitter.com/jJnHIa4nBj
— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2018
CBI Director Alok Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana were involved in a tussle over alleged corruption cases. A few days ago, in an unprecedented move, CBI had filed an FIR against Asthana in a corruption case. It also raided the CBI office of its own officer Devinder Kumar in connection with the case.
Following the ugly, public fallout between Asthana and Verma, the Prime Minister’s office had summoned both the officers to discuss the crisis. However, sources say that the Chief Vigilance Commissioner KV Chawdhury recommended that both the CBI officers be stripped off all the responsibilities and sent on “compulsory wait”. The PMO agreed on the suggestion.
Meanwhile, Alok Verma has challenged the government order in Supreme Court. The Apex court has listed the hearing in Mr Verma’s petition on Friday.
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