CBI controversy a matter of great concern: BSP

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Wednesday termed the ongoing controversy around Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a "great concern" since misuse of government machinery have wreaked disasters in the past.

A statement from the BSP read, "Misuse of government machinery and interference in CBI's functioning have earlier caused disasters and the ongoing disturbance in CBI is a matter of great concern for the nation as it causes a lot of misconceptions among the public. The constant debates in the media regarding the issue have started affecting people's trust in the CBI."

Party supremo Mayawati was delighted that the matter was now being handled by the Supreme Court, the statement read adding that the apex court will also get an opportunity to review the role of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

The statement comes in the wake of the Supreme Court accepting CBI Director Alok Verma's petition, challenging the central government's decision to send him on leave. The matter is likely to be heard on October 26.

The CBI had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Special Director Rakesh Asthana for allegedly accepting a bribe from a businessman, who was linked to the Moin Akhtar Qureshi case. Asthana was heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was probing Qureshi's case.

Asthana had on Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court seeking the quashing of FIR filed against him by the premier investigating agency of India. The court later ordered that no action would be taken against Asthana until the next hearing, which is scheduled for October 29.

M. Nageshwar Rao, who was working as the Joint Director in the investigating agency, has been appointed as the interim Director of the CBI with immediate effect.

Speaking on the issue, Shiv Sena Member of Parliament (MP) Arvind Sawant said that the matter had become a big issue for the upcoming winter session in Parliament.

Speaking to ANI, Sawant said, "Institutions like CBI, CVC, judiciary, Election Commission are pillars of democracy. It is really sad that the chiefs of the topmost investigation agency are accusing each other of corruption. This is a big issue for the upcoming Parliament session.