CBI row: PM Modi should answer the nation, asserts Chandrababu Naidu

Following the Centre's decision to divest Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana of their duties, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is answerable to the nation on the developments witnessed pertaining to the case.

"The Centre is destroying all the institutions of the government and does not want them to function independently. It's a big threat to democracy and the Constitution. The Prime Minister is responsible for the developments in the CBI, and he should give a proper answer to the nation," Naidu said.

The Chief Minister further opined that Alok Verma was removed to cover up investigation being done in the Rafale scam. "This development clearly establishes the Modi government's link to the Rafale scam," he added.

Earlier, Naidu had claimed that institutions meant for protecting the citizens had been made powerless.

"An unfortunate scenario in the country where a deemed premier agency like CBI's integrity & sanctity is in question. Institutions meant for protecting the citizens have been made powerless. How will people trust their govt if one after the other such incidents keep coming forth?" he had tweeted.

On Wednesday, the Centre appointed M Nageshwar Rao as the interim director of the CBI with immediate effect. Rao, a 1986 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Odisha cadre, was working as the Joint Director in the investigating agency.

"Rao will now look after the duties and functions of Director, CBI, and will take over the duties and functions with immediate effect," read an order from the central government.

The Centre's decision came a day after Asthana moved the Delhi High Court seeking the quashing of First Information Report (FIR) filed against him by the premier investigating agency of India. The court later ordered that no action would be taken against Asthana until next hearing, which is scheduled for October 29.

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