The late-night order of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on Tuesday, stripping CBI Director Alok Verma of all charges mentions a “top secret note” by Special Director Rakesh Asthana that a key figure in the Moin Qureshi case had paid a bribe of ₹2 crore to the Director. This note was received by the CVC on October 22, a week after the CBI booked Mr. Asthana on charges of corruption .
The same allegation was also part of a complaint forwarded by Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha on July 31 to the CVC.
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The CVC said the director had created “wilful obstructions” in the functioning of the commission, which is a constitutional body and was “non-cooperative and non-compliant.”
‘₹2 crore paid’
The CVC order, mentions the note submitted by Sai Manohar, joint director of CBI on October 22 that Mr. Asthana had “allegedly received information from a source in Moin Qureshi case that Satish Sana paid a bribe of ₹2 crore to Director, CBI to avoid any action.”
On October 15, the day CBI booked Mr. Asthana and Mr. Sana for alleged corruption, the CVC had also shot off a letter to the director conveying the apprehensions of Mr. Asthana of “bias and prejudice” in case of an investigation against him. It was not clear whether the letter was sent before or after the case was registered.
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The three complaints forwarded by the Cabinet Secretary on July 31, all pertaining to Mr. Verma are allegations that he received ₹2 crore bribe in the Moin Qureshi case, that he allegedly pressured officers not to conduct search at the premises of Lalu Prasad Yadav and other serious allegations regarding the functioning of the CBI.
Three notices sent
The CVC said in its order that “the Director, CBI was not cooperating in making available the records and files sought by it” and he was served three separate notices to “produce files and documents before September 14.”
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“An environment of hostility and faction feud has reached its peak in the CBI leading to potential loss of reputation/credibility of the organisation. The grave allegations of corruption by senior functionaries of CBI one against another, also widely reported in the media, have vitiated the official environment…the order is passed keeping in view the extraordinary and emergent situation which has arisen,” the order said.
Mr. Verma has moved Supreme Court against the said order.
The Personnel Ministry’s order divesting Mr. Asthana of all charges doesn’t mention the corruption cases lodged against him. It says the circumstances for such “extraordinary and unprecedented” situation should be inquired into independently.
“The recent developments with regard to various actions taken by Director/Special Director of CBI have also become a subject matter of critical and negative public debate which has the serious potential of eroding the trust and faith which the CBI enjoys,” the Ministry order said.
