CBI gets interim head; SIT to probe charges against Asthana, Verma

In what seems an attempt by the government to distance itself from the ongoing fight between two key officials of the CBI, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been mandated to probe the matter.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday the SIT will look into the charges made by CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana against one another.

Meanwhile, both Verma and Asthana have been sent on leave. M Nageswar Rao, Joint Director of CBI, has been appointed as its interim Director.

Fresh controversies

Incidentally, Rao comes with his own set of controversies, and social media was flooded with posts on them. Public interest lawyer Prashant Bhushan tweeted that Rao had earlier protected the corrupt, and referred to his dubious assets.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted: “The self-professed legal eagles of Modi government, Arun Jaitley & Ravi Shankar Prasad give an apology of a defence of cleaning the system to justify PM’s panic reaction on Rafale Scam. Is it correct that even new CBI Chief, Nageshwar Rao is under a cloud?”

Speaking to the media after a Cabinet meeting, Jaitley said the SIT will be formed by the CBI and operate under the supervision of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). He did not rule out the the SIT being an independent agency, too.

Jaitley refuted Opposition allegations that Verma had been removed because he wanted to look into the Rafale fighter jet deal. “It is important that the integrity of CBI as an institution be maintained. That is why some officers must stand out for the time being as an interim measure. If they are innocent they will come back,” he said.

On Asthana being a ‘blue-eyed boy’ of the Prime Minister, Jaitley said: “There is the Evidence Act. Whatever be the independence of the investigation, in a criminal case, red eye or blue eye does not matter. It is the quality of the evidence that matters.”

'Vital to restore agency's credibility'

In a late night development on Tuesday, both Verma and Asthana were asked to proceed on compulsory leave. Jaitley said the decision was based on the CVC’s recommendations. “It was absolutely essential to restore the agency’s institutional integrity and credibility,” he said.

On who will investigate the issues at CBI, Jaitley said it does not come under government jurisdiction. “The power of superintendence of the investigative functions of CBI rests with the CVC under the provisions of the CBI Act...The CVC has all the material about the mutual allegations,” he said.

Asked about the timing of the decision, he said: “The CVC made the decision in the evening. If the government acts fast, you say it is in a hurry. If it acts slowly, you will say it is policy paralysis.”

Rao, meanwhile, sprung into action today. At least 11 CBI officers were transferred. Two of them — AK Bassi and SS Gurm — were probing the case against Asthana.

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