The Central government removed Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Director Rakesh Asthana on Thursday with immediate effect. Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Asthana, who had an unprecedented feud with his boss – former CBI chief Alok Verma, was sent on forced leave by the government in October last year.
Along with him, Joint Director Arun Kumar Sharma, DIG MK Sinha and SP Jayant Naiknavare too have been removed forthwith, the Personnel Ministry said in an order. The decision was taken at a meeting held on Thursday morning at the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), sources say.
It was claimed that Centre took action following reports of illegal snooping on country's top officers, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union law secretary Suresh Chandra, Andhra Pradesh Cadre IAS officer Rekha Rani and Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha.
Sources says the role of Joint Director Arun Kumar Sharma and DIG MK Sinha in the phone-tapping activity is being probed.
On Tuesday, Delhi High Court had issued notices to CBI and Centre while acting on a petition filed by an advocate alleging that Verma had ordered illegal surveillance of the country top security officers, including Doval.
Asthana's removal comes ahead of the PM-led Selection Panel's meet on January 24 to decide the new CBI director.
The CBI had registered a case against Asthana on the insistence of Verma, who had accused his junior of taking bribe and tampering with important cases.
The Centre faced a lot of criticism when the Selection Panel decided to remove Alok Verma from CBI's top post last week. The Congress questioned the hastiness behind Verma's removal, who had been reinstated by the Supreme Court just a day before, albeit at a different post.
Further, the Appointments Committee transferred Prabhat Singh. Singh was serving as the Special Director of CRPF.
Who Watches The Watchmen?
- Joint Director Arun Kumar Sharma, DIG MK Sinha and SP Jayant Naiknavare also removed forthwith, as per a circular from the Personnel Ministry
- The decision was taken at a meeting held on Thursday morning at the Central Vigilance Commission
- The role of Sharma and Sinha — in the alleged phone-tapping of the country’s top security leaders — is also being investigated
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Rakesh Asthana")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}