CBI HQ
To the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on Monday, handed over all documents and files required to inquire into allegations levelled against CBI director Alok Verma by his deputy Rakesh Asthana, ANI quoted CBI sources as saying.
Including Verma and Asthana, the CVC is likely to ask questions from more than a dozen key CBI officials.
Meanwhile, Delhi High Court, on Monday, continued its order to maintain status quo till November 1 and granted CBI more time to reply. CBI had sought more time to file reply saying that entire team had been changed and case files are before CVC who is looking into allegations.
The Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his office, CVC K.V. Chowdary and the DoPT of hatching a "nefarious conspiracy" to divest CBI Director Alok Verma of his duties fearing investigation into the Rafale deal.
"Midnight intrigue, sinister plot and nefarious conspiracy of a collusive subterfuge between the Modi government and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has now been unravelled," Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said at a press conference here.
He alleged that through the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and CVC, CBI Director was removed from his office at midnight.
Supreme Court lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan also alleged that the Centre divested CBI Director Alok Verma of his duties to prevent him from investigating the multi-billion dollar Rafale deal.
However, he welcomed the apex court's directions to the CVC to complete an inquiry into the corruption allegations against Verma within two weeks.
(With inputs from agencies)
