NEW DELHI: The central government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the top two officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation Alok Verma and his deputy, Rakesh Asthana were fighting like cats, and was becoming critical and matter of public debate asserting it was forced to strip CBI director Alok Verma on leave.
“Slamming both Verma and special CBI director Rakesh Asthana, Attorney General KK Venugopal told the court government of India was watching with amazement as to what these two officers were doing, they were fighting like cats… Extraordinary situation made centre act and divest Alok Verma of his powers till the Chief Vigilance Commission takes a decision, reading from the late night government order sending the CBI chief on forced leave.
“Our objective was to ensure that public confidence in the institution is not eroded, so both officers were sent on leave,” he added. A bench led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi has been hearing the petition filed by Verma for the last one month. Verma’s tenure as CBI director comes to an end in January.
