India
On Tuesday, CBI official Devender Kumar Tuesday approached the Delhi High Court challenging his arrest in connection with bribery allegations.
New Delhi: Even as the Central Bureau of Investigation grapples with infighting between its top two officers, director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana, the government has appointed its most trusted troubleshooter, national security advisor Ajit Doval, to suggest a solution.
On October 21, the CBI registered a first information report against Asthana for allegedly accepting a Rs 3-crore bribe to settle a case against meat exporter Moin Quereshi. On his part, Asthana has levelled bribery allegations against his boss.
On Tuesday, CBI official Devender Kumar Tuesday approached the Delhi High Court challenging his arrest in connection with bribery allegations. On Monday, the CBI expanded its probe into the case. A deputy superintendent of police (DSP)-rank official was arrested and investigators are preparing to question two supervisory-level officers — one of superintendent of police rank and the other of inspector general — in the case.
The all-exposed war within the CBI is sure to dominate the state elections, which are due next month.
Doval is now expected to talk to all the officers involved and understand the issue, claims and give a solution. Sources said the first round of meeting has already taken place. Asthana who is trying to meet Modi but may first meet Doval.
Sources added that expenses incurred in the wedding of Asthana's daughter will be under the scanner. The case is being probed by Verma. The case also involves transfer orders pending with Delhi police at Inspector and ACP level. Asthana reportedly wanted to probe that issue.
The government has taken an adverse view of the factional feud in the premier investigation agency of the country and the fact that groups are leaking convenient bits of information to the media even after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention.
Some also claim that the union territory cadre is targeting officers from the Gujarat cadre. Earlier, chief of Enforcement Directorate Karnail Singh (UT cadre) had an ugly spat with finance secretary Hasmukh Adhia, who belongs to the Gujarat cadre. Another top officer Rajeshwar Singh had levelled charges against Adhia but later had tendered a written apology.
In the CBI's case, Verma is from the UT cadre and Asthana is a Gujarat cadre officer.
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