The almost one-year-long feud between the Central Bureau of Investigation Director Alok Kumar Verma and his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana has severely dented the agency’s image. It has also exposed the government’s inability in resolving such issues with sagacity, according to former CBI officials.
“The CBI’s credibility is at stake, particularly when its two former chiefs, A.P. Singh and Ranjit Sinha, are already being probed by the agency in other cases,” said a retired IPS officer, who was also posted with the country’s premier investigating agency, on condition of anonymity.
Another former CBI official said: “The agency is currently going through its worst phase. Officers aspiring to work with the CBI will now think twice before seeking deputation.”
Mr. Asthana, a 1984-batch IPS officer of the Gujarat cadre, was the Additional Director when he was given the additional charge of CBI Director after the retirement of Anil Sinha in December 2016. On January 19, 2017, the government appointed Mr. Verma, a 1979-batch AGMUT cadre officer, as the agency chief.
Signs of a rift between the two had surfaced in October 2017 when the CBI Director, through an unsigned note to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), objected to Mr. Asthana’s elevation as Special Director, stating that his role was under the scanner in the Sterling Biotech case involving Gujarat-based businessman Chetan Sandesara and his family members.
Lawyer Prashant Bhushan had also approached the Supreme Court against the promotion. However, the court refused to intervene and the CVC also cleared the elevation. Then, in July this year, the CBI Director raised questions on Mr. Asthana having been called to attend a crucial CVC meet, in his absence, for deciding key postings in the agency.
On August 24 this year, the Special Director complained to the Cabinet Secretary that the CBI chief had been interfering in probes. The matter was also reported to the CVC. Mr. Asthana had purportedly listed 10 instances of alleged corruption and other offences, also involving an Additional Director from the Gujarat cadre.
Subsequently, the CVC sought relevant files from the CBI. In response, the agency submitted the files and its Chief Vigilance Officer told the supervisory body that Mr. Asthana was under the scanner in half-a-dozen cases. On September 21, the CBI also issued a press statement defending its Director.
The current case against Mr. Asthana may render him ineligible for the post of CBI Director.
It is likely that he will soon approach the court seeking intervention and relief.
