October 24, 2018:
On Wednesday, in a dramatic midnight action, the government divested CBI Chief Alok Verma of his charge & Joint Director M Nageshwar Rao was asked to take over.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) took the decision past midnight as war between Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief Verma & special director Rakesh Asthana escalated over bribery allegations hurled at each other.
Modi government has divested Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma of all duties, hours after he did the same to his deputy Rakesh Asthana.
In an order at 2.30 am on Wednesday served at Verma’s residence, the government said he was being divested of all responsibilities, said sources.
On Tuesday, before being divested of all responsibilities as the CBI chief, Verma too had signed an order at 9 pm divesting his deputy Rakesh Asthana of all responsibilities.
Government in the interium has asked Joint Director, M Nageswar Rao, a 1986-batch Orissa-cadre officer, to take charge as acting chief.
Rao in his very first move removed the entire team probing the Bribery Case against Rakesh Asthana, including, Ajay Bassi, the investigation officer (IO) & Deputy Inspector General Manish Sinha.
Case was under the anti-corruption headquarters zone, which was under the powerful joint director AK Sharma. He too has been transferred internally.
Asthana in his complaint to the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) had alleged that the Bassi was acting at the behest of director Alok Verma.
CVC, which has superintendence over the CBI in corruption cases, and is already seized of the complaint by Asthana against the director & the counter FIR registered against him by the CBI, will seek a fair & impartial probe into the charges & counter charges.
Outgoing Chief Alok Verma has moved to the Supreme Court against the order removing him, and appointing a new director.
Court has listed the matter for hearing on Friday.
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