A CBI officer told the Delhi High Court that the agency’s Special Director Rakesh Asthana was misleading the court by placing what he quoted as “selective facts” in a bribery case.
The court is also hearing petitions filed by Asthana & CBI Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar seeking to quash the probe agency’s FIR against them in a bribery case. CBI Additional Superintendent of Police SS Gurm, who was part of the investigation against Asthana, was transferred with several other CBI officials after M Nageswara Rao took over as interim chief of the agency.
Rao took charge after the Centre sent both Director Alok & second-in-command Asthana on leave over accusations of bribery and corruption.
Gurm challenged the order transferring him to Jabalpur, in his petition before the High Court. The officer also sought to be made a party in the petition filed by Asthana. He claimed that he had enough evidence that the CBI was trying to protect Rakesh.
Additionally, the High Court directed the CBI to maintain the status quo in its proceedings against Asthana and gave him interim relief from arrest.