The CBI has shared all the files pertaining to allegations against CBI Director Alok Verma to the CVC that is conducting a probe against him even as the Delhi High Court on Monday asked the agency to maintain status quo in the bribery case against the CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana who has sought quashing of the FIR.
The CVC probe against Verma is being monitored by retired Supreme Court judge AK Pattnaik. Earlier, Verma had stalled CVC probe against himself by not sharing these files with the anti-corruption watchdog despite repeated reminders.Verma and Asthana were divested of their roles in the CBI.
Citing Verma’s non-cooperation as “unprecedented”, the CVC had passed orders to divest Verma along with Asthana of the “functions, power, duty and supervisory role in the cases registered by the CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CVC has the authority of superintendence over the CBI in cases relating to PC Act. Verma did not furnish the files related to August 24 complaint by Asthana that is the subject matter of the CVC enquiry despite repeated adjournments.
The Government has appointed CBI Joint Director M Nageshwar Rao as the interim chief of the agency. CBI sources said the agency has submitted a number of files to the CVC as and when demanded by the superintending authority. The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the CBI to maintain status quo till November 1 on the criminal proceedings initiated against Asthana, who has challenged the FIR lodged against him on bribery allegations.
Justice Najmi Waziri questioned the CBI for not filing its response to the petitions of Asthana and the agency’s Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar, who has been in CBI custody since October 23.
The high court, in last hearing on October 23, had asked CBI to file its response by Monday. It had ordered the agency to maintain status quo on the proceedings against Asthana. When CBI’s Special Prosecutor K Raghavacharyulu prayed for a “little” more time to file its reply, the court asked as to why it has not been done yet. The CBI prosecutor told the high court that the delay in filing of reply occurred as the case files have been sent to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).