PM Modi summoned CBI chief Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana
CBI Number 2 Rakesh Asthana, who has challenged the first information report filed against him by his own agency, cannot be arrested till Monday, when the case will be heard next, the Delhi High Court said today. However, the court also clarified that there was no stay on the ongoing probe over bribery allegations against Mr Asthana and his team member, Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar.
Mr Kumar, the investigating officer in the money laundering case involving meat exporter Moin Qureishi, was sent to seven-day CBI custody by the court. The CBI claims that Mr Kumar was part of extortion racket being run in the garb of investigation.
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The Congress today claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is responsible for "dismantling, denigrating and destroying" India's premier investigative agency and accused him of direct interference in the functioning of the CBI.
"Why did the prime minister call the head of CBI, also head of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to his residence yesterday? Was it to influence the ongoing corruption investigation against CBI and RAW officers?
"What instructions did the prime minister give to the chiefs of CBI and RAW? Does it not tantamount to illegal and unconstitutional interference by the PM in an ongoing corruption investigation involving high ranking officers of the two agencies," Randeep Surjewala asked at a press conference.
I feel PM has lost control. CBI is an agency of the government. It is certainly within his purview to find remedial measures. But let's be clear, he is not supposed to interfere in course of investigation in a case: Arun Shourie
The more distressing fact is all these facts were brought to the top court's notice by Prashant Bhushan. But a blind eye was turned to these facts. So I think it's great that all these details are out in the open. People should know what is the condition of CBI: Arun Shourie
This gives a glimpse of corruption. May be that's how other things also happen: Arun Shourie To NDTV
Deputy SP Devender Kumar has been sent to 7-days CBI custody.
CBI's credibility and its independence is at stake: Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala
Rakesh Asthana will not be arrested at least till Monday -- when the case is taken up next -- the Delhi High Court said, issuing notice to the CBI and its chief Alok Verma, Mr Asthana's boss.
The Delhi High Court has ruled all electronic records of the accused will have to be preserved, including mobile phone and laptops.
The issue will be heard by the Delhi High Court on Monday. Till then, no action can be taken against Rakesh Asthana.
The Delhi high court has ordered to maintain status quo in CBI's case against its number Rakesh Asthana.
CBI seeks court nod to add more sections in existing complaint against accused, including officer Devender Kumar, according to news agency PTI.
Rakesh Asthana moves Delhi High Court against lodging of complaint against him: news agency PTI
Rakesh Asthana, CBI Special Director, moves Delhi High Court against lodging of complaint against him, according to news agency Press Trust of India. He seeks no coercive steps to be taken against him, according to news agency ANI.
CBI produces official Devender Kumar before Delhi court in connection with the bribery case against Rakesh Asthana.
CBI seeks Devender Kumar's custody, says incriminating documents and evidence found after raiding his office and residence, according to news agency PTI.
The CBI infighting started last year when the director objected to the appointment of Mr Asthana as his number 2, citing the Sterling Biotech case. Mr Asthana, who had been acting chief, was elevated nevertheless, after another officer was reportedly transferred overnight to the home ministry to make way for him.
In his statement to CBI, businessman Satish Sana said he paid a bribe of Rs. 2 crore to Rakesh Asthana. The money was paid over a 10-month period - starting from December 2017 - so that he is not named in the CBI case against Moin Qureshi.
Mr Asthana alleged that Satish Sana's complaint was the result of a conspiracy between him and certain officers of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate.
He also alleged corrupt practices by CBI chief and his Chief Vigilance Officer Arun Sharma. In a communication to the cabinet secretary in August, he had mentioned 10 instances of corruption, criminal misconduct, interference in the investigations of the sensitive cases, he said.
He also said the CBI chief had been paid Rs. 2 crore by Satish Sana for scuttling the probe in Moin Quereshi's case. After Satish Sama was prevented from skipping the country and asked to join the investigation, the conspiracy against him was hatched.
During a recent interrogation Satish Sana has admitted settlement with the Director through a lawmaker of Telgu Desam Party who has been raided by the income tax authorities, Mr Asthana told the cabinet secretariat.
The Enforcement Directorate said Moin Qureshi was being investigated for allegedly remitting funds through hawala channels to Dubai, London, and a few other destinations in Europe.
The agency also said records from the Income Tax department also showed Mr Qureshi took huge amounts of money from different persons to obtain "undue favours from public servants" after exercising his personal influence.
Devender Kumar, CBI deputy superintendent of police, has approached the Delhi High Court
Devender Kumar, CBI Deputy Superintendent of Police, has approached the Delhi High Court; hearing to take place at 2 pm, according to news agency ANI.
On Monday, the CBI arrested its officer Devender Kumar, who worked with Rakesh Asthana, and accused him of making false statements against its chief. In an unprecedented fallout of the fight, the CBI searched its own offices - specifically the rooms of senior officers who have worked with Rakesh Asthana.
Intelligence Agency RAW Drawn Into The CBI WarThe country's external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing or RAW, appears to have been dragged into the massive controversy that has gripped the Central Bureau of Investigation, where a fight between two top officers is on. Over the last two days, the CBI has been witnessing letters, raids and arrests - part of the battle between the agency chief Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana.
Read Here: In CBI vs CBI, Chief Alok Verma Preps To Suspend Deputy Rakesh Asthana: 10 PointsA day after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Central Bureau of Investigation chief Alok Verma has moved to suspend his deputy, Special Director Rakesh Asthana. Sources told NDTV that a letter was sent over weekend, in which Mr Verma has called for Mr Asthana's suspension, calling him "a source of demoralization". PM Modi has intervened in the massive fight within the country's main investigating agency, summoning both officers. The CBI chief met him on Sunday. The agency had filed a bribery case against Mr Asthana, who wrote to the government listing several charges against his boss.