The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Centre to respond to a challenge made by a CBI officer, who was the probe officer in a corruption case against former CBI Director Rakesh Asthana, against his back-to-back transfer from New Delhi to Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi asked the government to respond within six weeks on the allegations of nepotism raised by CBI officer A.K. Bassi. Mr. Bassi accused the current and interim CBI chief M. Nageshwar Rao of ordering his transfer twice, the second time immediately after the latter took over as interim CBI Director on January 10. Mr. Bassi explained that his first transfer to the islands was in October 2018 when Alok Verma was divested of his office of CBI Director. Following the re-instatement of Mr. Verma on the basis of a Supreme Court judgement of January 8, Mr. Bassi was transferred back to the national capital in order to continue with his investigation of Mr. Asthana. However, Mr. Verma was once again removed as CBI Director, within 48 hours of his re-instatement, on the basis of a recommendation from the high-powered committee. This development saw Mr. Bassi facing a second transfer order to Port Blair on January 11. "Mr. Bassi was in charge of an actual investigation of corruption. His transfers relates directly to the governance of the CBI," senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan argued for Mr. Bassi. The CBI officer, also represented by advocate Sunil Fernandes, contended that his second transfer order was issued without authority and with malafide intentions. It was meant to “victimise” him and prejudice the investigation against Mr. Asthana. He voiced apprehension that he would be implicated in false cases and departmental proceedings. Mr. Bassi said his transfer order is non-speaking and fails to disclose reasons for such an “emergent sweeping action”. “The petitioner (Bassi) apprehends that the course of investigation will be influenced in such a manner that investigators will soon be arraigned as accused persons… he was never a part of any ‘group or faction’ within the CBI and has no concern whatsoever with the alleged disputes that have erupted within the CBI,” the petition said. It said Mr. Bassi was “assigned certain tasks, under lawful authority (ie. investigate the Asthana FIR) and was merely discharging his duties in a free fair and impartial manner”.
