Alok Verma vs Rakesh Asthana: A timeline of 'faction feud' within CBI
In an unprecedented move, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday divested CBI Director Alok Verma and its special director Rakesh Asthana. The two top officers of the CBI have been embroiled in a bitter battle with each accusing the other of corruption.
The government has claimed that ousted CBI Director Alok Verma was not cooperating with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and defended its decision to send him on leave, saying that an "extra-ordinary and unprecedented" situation had arisen due to "grave allegations of corruption" against senior functionaries of the agency.
The allegations against Verma have been levied by his no. 2 Asthana, who himself is under investigation by Verma for accepting bribe for clean chit to a businessman in Moin Quresi case.
Both Verma and Asthana have been at loggerheads since the latter joined the agency's number two spot last year. Here's what happened in past year which led to this 'unprecedented and grave' situation in India's apex investigating agency.
Alok Verma vs Rakesh Asthana: Where it all began
October, 2017: The feud begins
According to reports, The tussle between Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthan started a year ago in October when CBI director Verma raised objection to Asthana's appointment as Special Director in front of a five-member panel led by CVC.
Clean chit to Asthana
Verma reportedly alleged that Asthana's involvement in the Sterling Biotech scam had tainted CBI's name. But the panel dismissed the charge and decided to promote Asthana to the post of special director. Later Supreme Court also gave him a clean chit in the case.
Asthan attends CVC meeting
On July 12 this year, when Alok Verma was abroad, CVC invited Asthana to a meeting about promotions in the investigating agency. On this, Verma wrote to CVC that he had not authorised Asthana to represent him in meetings.
Asthana accuses Verma
On August 24, Asthana wrote a letter to CVC and Cabinet Secrartory, wherein he accused Verma and his close aide additional director NK Sharma of corruption, reports said. He also alleged that the two had tried to save the accused in an ongoing investigation. He alleged that Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Sana had paid Rs 2 crore to Verma for a clean chit in the Moin Qureshi case.
Asthana gives clarification to CVC
In another letter to CVC and Cabinet Secrartory last week, Asthana said that he wanted to arrest Sana last month but Verma rejected the proposal. He also reportedly alleged when his team tried to interrogate Sana in February Verma had intervened and stopped them from going ahead.
Reshuffle in Asthana's staff
Meanwhile, Verma took important cases being invetsigated by Asthana and handed them over to AK Sharma. This included matters related to Delhi Government, IRCTC scam, P Chidamabarama and others. Asthana's staff was also reshuffled.
Allegations against Asthana by businessman
On October 4, CBI detained Sana and he was produced before magistrate for a statement. Sana claimed that he has paid Rs 3 crore to Asthana in the last 10 months. On October 15, CBI filed an FIR against Asthana for alleged corruption in Moin Qureshi case.
Both senior officials divested
On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court directed CBI to maintain the status quo in the case against Rakesh Asthana and a trial court sent mid-level CBI officer Devender Kumar to seven-day CBI remand. Kumar was also name din the FIR filed against Asthana by CBI on October 15.
In an overnight decision, on the basis of a recommendation by the CVC, the government removed both Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana from their posts from October 24.
