Delhi HC extends interim relief to Asthana till Nov 1

The Delhi High Court on Monday extended the interim protection from arrest to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special director Rakesh Asthana and ordered to maintain status quo in the proceedings against him in the alleged bribery case.

The high court also granted more time to the CBI to file counter replies on pleas of Asthana and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Devender Kumar seeking quashing of FIR lodged by the probe agency in the case.

Earlier, the CBI counsel had sought more time to file counter replies stating that the probe agency wants to ensure a fair trial in the matter.

Earlier in the day, DSP Kumar, who was arrested last week by the CBI in connection with the case, also moved a bail application before a special court in Delhi.

Kumar, in his application, mentioned that the CBI does not have valid search warrants when his office and residence was raided in connection with the case. The special court will hear Kumar's bail plea on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Manoj Prasad, accused of taking bribes on behalf of Asthana has told a Delhi court that he was caught in the power tussle between the CBI's two senior-most officers, Asthana, and CBI Director Alok Verma.

"This is a fight between two elephants and one mouse has been caught in between," said the counsel for Manoj Prasad.

Asthana, who has recently been sent on leave by the government, has been charged with extortion and forgery in addition to the bribery and corruption charges.