Congress misguiding public: Rajnath on CBI row

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that Congress is unnecessarily raising its voice against the Centre over the false assumption that the government is tinkering with the institution such as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Speaking to media, the Union Minister said, "Congress has no issues of public interest to discuss and that is why they are misguiding people."

Commenting on the ongoing CBI case in the Supreme Court, Singh added that an authority is investigating the matter involving Alok Verma, CBI Director and Rakesh Asthana, CBI Special Director. The Congress must wait for the investigation report."

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday linked the central government's action of sending Alok Verma on leave with a probe into the alleged Rafale scam, which, he claimed, was about to be conducted. He said that the Prime Minister panicked anticipating an investigation.

Terming the temporary removal of CBI Director from his official post as illegal, he said, "Appointment and removal of CBI Director are done by a committee of three people -- the Prime Minister, Chief Judge of India and the Leader of Opposition. The Prime Minister removed CBI Director at 2 am in the night. This is illegal and criminal. This is an insult to the Constitution, an insult to the CJI, an insult to the Leader of the Opposition and insult to people of India."

However, the CBI on Thursday informed that Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana, who were sent on leave, will continue to remain the CBI Director and Special Director, respectively.

Today, the apex court ruled that an inquiry against Verma must be completed within two weeks and M Nageshwar Rao, who was appointed as the interim Director, cannot take any policy decision till court hears the matter again on November 12.

The top court ordered a CVC inquiry under the supervision of retired Supreme Court Judge AK Patnaik.