Opposition parties on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “dismantling” statutory investigating agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and influencing ongoing probes which have political consequences.
The Prime Minister on Monday summoned CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma to his residence and also reportedly spoke to Anil Dhasmana, head of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).
The CBI is in a turmoil, with the agency filing an FIR against its No 2 officer Rakesh Asthana, and arresting its Deputy Superintendent of Police Devendra Kumar, for “falsification of records” in connection with bribery allegations involving Asthana.
In the same FIR, the CBI has named a Special Secretary in the R&AW although he is not an accused. Opposition parties said institutional integrity has been pushed to its limits by the ruling BJP for political purposes.
The recent goings-on in the CBI show the degree of damage that is being caused by the present BJP government at the Centre to constitutional authorities and institutions of parliamentary democracy. The undermining of Parliament itself, interference in the judiciary, manipulation of institutions like the CBI are not due to poor ‘governance’ but due to mala fide intentions to undermine the Constitution,” a statement issued by the CPI(M) Polit Bureau on Tuesday.
Political interference
At a joint press conference at the party headquarters, the Congress’ media head, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said that the Prime Minister and BJP President Amit Shah are destroying and dismantling premier investigating agencies to target political opponents as well as interfere in ongoing probes against “their corporate friends and big business heads”.
“Why did the PM call the head of CBI, head of RAW to his residence yesterday? Was it to influence the ongoing corruption investigation against CBI and RAW officers? 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? Why is the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) shying away from its statutory obligation of acting impartially and decisively to punish wrong doing? ” asked the Congress spokesperson.
Surjewala cited instances of “interference of political executive in sensitive investigations conducted by the CBI” including the clean chit given to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the Vyapam scam, bank scams involving Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, and the dilution of lookout circular on Vijay Mallya.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is solely accountable for dismantling, India’s premier investigation agency, the CBI. Habitual misuse of CBI by PM Modi and BJP President, Amit Shah, in fixing political opponents and illegal intervention to tamper fair investigation of serious criminal cases has landed the CBI in an unfathomable mess, eroding its independence and credibility,” said the Congress leaders.
Corruption charges
“The PM’s role in the entire matter is under a cloud. The entire nation is looking for a fair, impartial and independent investigation of thecharges of corruption involving senior-most officers of CBI & RAW.
“It needs to be investigated and brought out as to who is involved in the saga and is shielding the accused involved?” said the Congress leaders.