As a follow up to CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana’s complaint against CBI Chief Alok Verma for allegedly interfering in the cases under his probe team, a senior agency official on Monday met the Central Vigilance Commissioner KV Chowdary and submitted documents sought by the anti-corruption watchdog.
A senior official of the policy wing of the CBI met the CVC at his office for about an hour and is learnt to have submitted the files of the cases sought by the Commission in connection with the Asthana’s allegations against his boss.
Asthana had recently sent a complaint to the PMO alleging Verma was interfering in the probes undertaken by him. The Government referred the complaint to the Central Vigilance Commission following which the Commission through communications dated September 11 and September 14 sought files of various cases from the CBI.
The CVC exercises superintendence over the CBI for investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; or an offence under the Criminal Procedure Code.
The CVC can direct the CBI to “inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made on a reference by the Central Government.” The CVC can also inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made into any complaint received against any official belonging to the Central Government. In addition, the CVC is also empowered to review the progress of investigations conducted by the CBI into offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Asthana’s complaint to the Government that was subsequently routed to the CVC fully comes under the jurisdiction of the Commission which is expected to take a call into registration of a case against Verma after verifying the allegations. If the allegations are unsubstantiated, the CVC may junk the complaint.
Earlier, Verma had opposed Asthana’s promotion as CBI Special Director during a selection panel meeting led by the Chief Vigilance Commissioner following which the infighting between the two top officers has come to the fore.
Despite Verma’s objections, the CVC unanimously cleared Asthana, a Gujarat-cadre IPS officer, last year for appointment as Special Director in CBI.
Verma has trashed Asthana’s complaint as “malicious and frivolous”.