CBI vs CBI: CBI officer AK Bassi, probing special director Rakesh Asthana, challenges transfer in SC; says he has evidence against him

In the battle between the two top officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation, the investigating officer AK Bassi, who was appointed by the director Alok Verma on the case of special director Rakesh Asthana, has moved Supreme Court against the decision of the current CBI, which transferred him to Port Blair.

The Supreme Court will hear the matter at an appropriate time and has declined the request of AK Bassi for an urgent hearing.

The case pertains to the CBI and its directors alleging corruption charged against each other. Alok Verma had filed an FIR against his deputy Rakesh Asthana, stating that he took bribe of Rs 3 crore in the Moin Qureshi corruption case. On the complaint of Satish Sana, the case was lodged.

AK Bassi was investigating the case in which Rakesh Asthana was made an accused but as soon as M Nageshwar Rao took over the charges as the interim director of the CBI, appointed by the Department of Personnel and Training, he transferred all the officers and aide of Alok Verma, including AK Bassi to Andamans.

AK Bassi has said in the plea filed in the Supreme Court that he has incriminating evidence against Rakesh Asthana in the bribery case and has asked the apex court to call for evidence of technical surveillance.

Bassi also seeks setting up a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to investigate charges against Rakesh Asthana. The infighting in the CBIO has led to a tussle between the top officers and a complete breakdown of the administration, leading to a civil war amongst the agencies.

Also read: CBI crisis: SC allows Satish Sana, the complainant in Rakesh Asthana bribery case, to seek police protection