Alok Verma to remain Director, M Nageshwar Rao to look after duties & functions till the time CVC looks into the allegations: CBI

Even as the government is under attack over the massive CBI shakeup, the official spokesperson of the investigating agency has categorically stated that Alok Verma to stay the Director and Rakesh Asthana the Special Director while M Nageshwar Rao will look after duties and functions of CBI Director in the interim period till the time CVC looks into the allegations and counter allegations.  

"Alok Verma will continue to remain CBI Director, Rakesh Asthana to remain Special Director. M Nageshwar Rao to look after duties & functions of the CBI Director in the interim period till the time CVC looks into the allegations," said the CBI official spokesperson.

Earlier, the CVC also mentioned that as far as the role of interim chief is concerned, he would be looking after the duties and responsibility of the CBI Director till the time all the accusations are not probed.

This comes even as the Opposition is stepping up attack on the government, claiming the CBI top boss has been replaced owing to the alleged ulterior motive of the government.

READ | Senior Lawyer Prashant Bhushan Moves Supreme Court, Seeks Removal Of Rakesh Asthana From CBI

Earlier in the day, Prashant Bhushan moved Supreme Court seeking quashing of the recent decisions by the centre on the recommendation of the CVC, resulting in the massive CBI overhaul. Bhushan's NGO Common Cause filed a petition in the top court in the same regard, as well as seeking removal of Rakesh Asthana from CBI and an SIT probe into the cases of corruption against the officers of the agency.

Amid row between the number 1 and number 2 at CBI, the Centre on the recommendation of CVC appointed Joint Director M Nageshwar Rao as the interim CBI director, while sending Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana on leave, in an unprecedented move. Nageshwar Rao took charge as the CBI Interim Director around 2 am this morning, as per the sources.

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Both Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana have been asked to step aside till investigation is complete, as per the recommendation of the CVC. The Superintendence of investigation is under CVC as per the law. The CVC had said that since there are charges and counter charges, both have to step aside for a fair investigation. 

Earlier on Wednesday, several CBI officials, including Dy SP Ajay Bassi, the investigative officer in the Rakesh Asthana case, was transferred. Bassi was sent to Port Blair.

Furthermore, Alok Verma also moved the Supreme Court against the order to send him on leave.  The case is listed for Friday.