The rift within the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is deepening by the day. Officer A.K. Bassi, who was investigating the bribery charges against Special Director Rakesh Asthana, has informed the Supreme Court that he has incriminating evidence against Asthana in the bribery case and requested the apex court to call for "evidence of technical surveillance". Bassi also moved the Supreme Court challenging his transfer ordered by interim CBI chief Nageshwar Rao. However, the Supreme Court refused to give an urgent hearing in the case as it had already ordered the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to complete the probe within two weeks.
Bassi also sought setting up a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to investigate charges against Asthana.
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Bassi, who was appointed as the investigation officer in the Asthana bribery case by then CBI director Alok Verma, was transferred to Port Blair by Rao soon after he took charge as the interim chief of the CBI. Notably, Bassi's transfer was the first order passed by Rao after he took charge as the interim director on Wednesday.
The SC, hearing the petition of ousted CBI director Alok Verma, had also directed that all decisions taken by Nageshwar Rao since his appointment as the interim CBI chief from October 23 shall not be implemented. The Supreme Court also directed that the decisions taken by Rao till date have to be placed before it in a sealed cover.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday also refused to stay the CBI notice asking Sathish Sana, the complainant in Rakesh Asthana bribery case, to join the investigation. However, the court allowed Sana to seek police protection as he alleged a threat to his life. In addition, the SC also rejected Sana's plea for recording of his statement in presence of retired former SC judge A.K. Patnaik, who has been appointed to supervise the CVC probe into allegations and counter-allegations against ousted CBI director Alok Verma and his deputy Asthana.
The Supreme Court has seen a slew of petitions and applications from CBI officials named in the bribery cases in the aftermath of the tussle at the premier investigative agency.
On Wednesday, soon after the government sent him on forced leave, Verma had moved the SC challenging the order. On Friday, minutes before the petition was taken up for hearing, Asthana'a counsel and former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi had also moved the SC challenging his ouster.