CBI Interference: Opposition Slams Government, Govt. Stunned Into Silence
The government is making an attempt to induct tainted officers in the CBI, a report suggested.
The opposition parties slammed the Narendra Modi government on Monday after a report published in The Indian Express underlined that appointments are being made in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in an unfair manner.
The officers who “were under examination by the CBI as suspects/ accused in criminal cases under investigation with the Bureau” were being considered for appointment at the CBI, the report said.
As the CBI is probing many cases where politicians are involved and the findings of which will have an impact on 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the report assumes more significance. The top investigating agency which was earlier called a “caged parrot” by the Supreme Court has been weakened under the current dispensation.
The CBI wrote letters to the CVC saying that Special Director Rakesh Asthana is himself “under (the) scanner” in several cases, so, in order to “maintain organisational integrity”, he “cannot be consulted for inducting officers into CBI”. The government is making an attempt to induct tainted officers in the investigating agency, the report suggested.
“Are the names coming from PMO/BJP/Sangh to target political opponents?” asks Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala raised two important questions as the Express report pointed out that last year the CVC-chaired selection committee took the decision to appoint Rakesh Asthana as special director while ignoring a note from CBI director Alok Verma who opposed the move citing Asthana’s corruption links.
Surjewala asked:
“1. Why is CVC appointing officers to CBI, who are being investigated by CBI?
2. If CBI is not recommending officers for induction into CBI, are the names coming from PMO/BJP/Sangh to target political opponents?”
Incurable malady in CBI raises imp issues-
1. Why is CVC appointing officers to CBI, who are being investigated by CBI?
2. If CBI is not recommending officers for induction into CBI, are the names coming from PMO/BJP/Sangh to target political opponents?https://t.co/PQ1kMiNQY1— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 16, 2018
Buck stops with the PM: Sitaram Yechury
CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that “Officers are being sent there (to CBI) who will only target political opponents of BJP and RSS… The buck stops with the PM.”
As per practice, CBI recommends names for induction of officers in CBI. Its letters to CVC show that names are coming from somewhere else. These are people who are criminal and corrupt. Who is sending these names, it is not hard to conclude. https://t.co/A9sTfaIcgM
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) July 16, 2018
CBI is being finished in ways which are open to see, against all orders of the Supreme Court. Officers are being sent there who will only target political opponents of BJP and RSS. Shameful and abominable. The buck stops with the PM https://t.co/M6pmgyVps2
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) July 16, 2018
Absolutely shocking: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister launched a scathing attack at the Union government saying, “Tainted officers being brought in becoz (because) u (you) can blackmail/armtwist them, use them as political tools and get them to do any illegal work also, which present BJP govt is doing.”
Absolutely shocking. Tainted officers being brought in becoz u can blackmail/armtwist them, use them as political tools and get them to do any illegal work also, which present BJP govt is doing https://t.co/0vi5yEpVlW
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 16, 2018
Things out in the open which many knew for months: Manoj Jha
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj K Jha underlined that “things are out in the open which many knew for months” in an obvious reference to the appointment issue.
Things out in the open which many knew for months…And the regime knows that their indulgence which has created this was not so #SacredGames
No. 1 vs No. 2: War in CBI is out in the open – The Indian Express https://t.co/o0CTgqrrzS— Manoj Kumar Jha (@manojkjhadu) July 16, 2018
Modi ji is making CBI – Criminal Bureau of India: Niranjan Pathak
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee chief Niranjan Pathak lamented saying “Modi ji’s quest to destroy every institution painstakingly built by the Congress in 70 years continues.” “Modi ji is making CBI – Criminal Bureau of India,” he added.
What a travesty! Modi ji’s quest to destroy every institution painstakingly built by the Congress in 70 years continues. The latest in the series – CBI forced to induct criminals. Modi ji is making CBI – Criminal Bureau of India. https://t.co/46fLMxNvCM
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) July 16, 2018
Govt’s promise of fighting corruption is exposed as a total farce: CPI (M)
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) official Twitter handle took note of the Express report and said, “Govt’s promise of fighting corruption is exposed as a total farce.”
CBI claims attempts are being made to induct officers who are under investigation into the agency. This follows appointment of Rakesh Asthana as Special Director last year, which itself raised many questions. The Govt's promise of fighting corruption is exposed as a total farce! pic.twitter.com/J8Zoil97ti
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) July 16, 2018
Kill every institution to kill your political enemies, is the only agenda now: Ashutosh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh questioned whether the government intends to kill every institution for political reasons.
Kill every institution to kill your political enemies, is the only agenda now. https://t.co/8Yh4nPkYph
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) July 16, 2018
Now Asthana being used to induct more corrupt officers in CBI: Prashant Bhushan
Swaraj India leader Prashant Bhushan noted that the Modi government is using Asthana to bypass CBI Director Alok Verma and bring more corrupt officers in the agency.
Shah's Guj officer Asthana was first made Spl Dir CBI despite CBI Dir's objection,since Asthana was being investigated by CBI itself in Sterling Biotech money laundering case. Now Asthana being used to induct more corrupt officers in CBI,bypassing CBI Dir!https://t.co/ph7fpilB83
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) July 16, 2018
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and ministers have maintained a stoic silence on the issue.