New Delhi: In a stunning overnight 'coup' by the government, the CBI's warring top two officers, Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana, were sent on leave. M Nageswar Rao has been appointed as an interim chief. His first act after his late-night promotion was to sign orders shifting several members of a team investigating corruption charges against Rakesh Asthana.
"The decision to remove the director, special director was taken to restore institutional integrity and credibility of CBI," said Union Minister Arun Jaitley, articulating the government's first response to questions raised by the opposition.
"To maintain the fairness of an impartial probe...it was necessary that the two senior-most officers involved must sit out on leave till an impartial investigation is complete," Mr Jaitley said.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi said the CBI chief Alok Verma was sent on leave because he was "collecting papers of Rafale scam". The Congress President ramped up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal. He tweeted saying, "The Prime Minister's message is clear, whoever comes near Rafale will be removed, wiped out. The country and the constitution are in danger."
Here are the highlights on the massive infighting within the CBI:
Oct 24, 2018 18:07 (IST)
The Narendra Modi government's decision to send Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma on leave is an "undeclared emergency", DMK president MK Stalin said today and asked whether the move has been initiated "to cover up investigations into the Rafale deal".
"Several complaints were sent to CBI director (Alok Verma) against Nageswar Rao and there are reports that Alok Verma wanted to initiate investigations into allegations against him," the DMK chief said.
Oct 24, 2018 16:58 (IST)
Team probing the Rakesh Asthana case has been reconstituted for a fair, impartial and expeditious probe. We have made available best resources in the reconstituted team. There were searches, but reports of sealing offices are totally untrue. CBI is working normally: CBI Spokesperson
Oct 24, 2018 16:50 (IST)
Is CVC a puppet of the government?: Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala
Oct 24, 2018 16:24 (IST)
There is speculation that it has something to do with the Rafale scam. People want to know the truth. The prime minister being the head of the government should explain to the people and the nation: D Raja
Oct 24, 2018 16:23 (IST)
What is happening in the CBI is like a coup that has shocked the entire nation. The CBI has been plunged into such a crisis. It's credibility stands completely destroyed. It is happening under the nose of the prime minister: Communist Party of India's national secretary D Raja
Oct 24, 2018 16:16 (IST)
Misuse of government machinery and interference in CBI's functioning have earlier also caused disasters and ongoing disturbance at CBI is a matter of great concern for the nation. It's good that the matter that also had interference of central government is before the Supreme Court now: BSP chief Mayawati
Oct 24, 2018 14:50 (IST)
Ashwini Gupta Deputy SP, CBI has been repatriated to his parent department, the Intelligence Bureau
Oct 24, 2018 14:05 (IST)
CBI director removed by 'chowkidar' because agency was raising questions on Rafale deal: Rahul Gandhi
Oct 24, 2018 13:23 (IST)
According to sources, 13 CBI officers, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Bassi, who was investigating the charges against Asthana were transferred, according to news agency IANS.
Bassi has been transferred to Port Blair with immediate effect in "public interest".
SS Gurm, Supervisory Superintendent of Police of AC-3 unit of CBI in probe against Asthana, has also been transferred to Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, with immediate effect, said the IANS report.
