CBI vs CBI: Under Supreme Court lens, CBI changes probe officer in Moin Qureshi bribery case

As the turmoil in the premier investigative agency has begun to unfold and reach its climax and two of its top officers sent on leave after a government’s order, the investigating officer in the Moin Qureshi bribery case has been changed, as reported by The Indian Express.

After governments intervention in the matter concerning the director and special director, all the officer who belonged to the Alok Verma’s team were transferred and removed from the prime case of Rakesh Asthana’s bribery scandal.

To politicise the matter, the Opposition alleged that director Alok Verma was on way to probe the Rafale Jet deals, which could have exposed the corruption angle and favoritism of the ruling BJP but he was sent on leave by the Department of Personnel Training.

S Kiran, SP in CBI was investigating the case of Moin Qureshi’s bribery scandal but was transferred thereafter and the now, the case has been given to Satish Dagar, SP in the CBI’s Anti-Corruption unit.

Satish had replaced AK Bassi who immediately transferred to Port Blair as soon as the interim chief M Nageshwar Rao took over the workings of the CBI.

Verma and Asthana have been sent on leave, pending a CVC probe and the charge has been handed to an interim chief, M Nageswar Rao. While Verma has challenged his forced leave by moving the Supreme Court, what followed was a shakeup in the probe team investigating the charges against Asthana.

The Supreme Court will next hear the matter on November 12, when the first phase of Chhattisgarh election is scheduled to be held.

Also read: Rakesh Asthana, CBI special director donated Rs 20 crore to BJP's election fund from the