NEW DELHI, Oct. 24, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – The Indian government appointed M
Nageshwar Rao as an interim chief of its premier investigating agency, the
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), officials said Wednesday.
Rao’s nomination to take charge of the agency comes in the backdrop of
internal strife within the organization between incumbent director Alok Verma
and his deputy special director Rakesh Asthana over bribery allegations
against the latter.
Officials said the government has asked both the officers to proceed on
leave and put out orders for Rao to take over charge on Tuesday night.
“As per the government order, CBI joint director Nageshwar Rao will take
interim charge of the investigation agency,” an official quoting the
government order said.
Local media reports said the offices of both Verma and Asthana have been
sealed and all officers working with the CBI director have been sent on
leave.
The government’s order followed a recommendation by the country’s top
vigilance officer, Chief Vigilance Commissioner, that the CBI’s warring top
two be sent on compulsory wait, stripped of all responsibilities, reports
said.
Verma had filed a case against his deputy, accusing him of bribery in an
investigation. Asthana on Tuesday approached Delhi high court, asking for the
charges to be cancelled and for protection against arrest.
The opposition Congress party accused the government of trying to protect
Asthana and described him “blue-eyed boy” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.