M. Nageshwar Rao to oversee duties, functions of CBI Director

With Alok Kumar Verma and Rakesh Asthana being divested of their roles as Director and Special Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), respectively, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved that during the period of such interim measure, M. Nageshwar Rao, who is presently working as the Joint Director of the CBI, shall look after the duties and functions of Director, CBI with immediate effect.

The rejig comes as grave allegations of corruption by senior functionaries of the CBI have surfaced, which has been widely reported in media and vitiated the official eco-system of the organisation.

The environment of faction feud has reached its peak in the CBI leading to a potential loss of credibility and reputation of the investigating agency. It also vitiated the working environment of the organisation which has a deep and visible impact on the overall governance.

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), on receipt of a complaint on August 24 containing various allegations against the senior functionaries of the CBI has served three separate notices (under section 11 of CVC Act, 2003) on September 11 upon the Director of CBI to produce files and documents before the Commission on September 14.

Various opportunities have been given to produce such records and after several adjournments, though the CBI assured the Commission on September 24 to furnish the records within three weeks. Despite repeated assurances and reminders, the Director of CBI failed to furnish the records/files before the Commission. The CVC has observed that Director has not been cooperating in making available records/files sought by the Commission relating to serious allegations.

The CVC has also observed that the Director has been non-cooperative with the Commission, non-compliant with the requirements/directions of the Commission and has created willful obstructions in the functioning of the Commission which is a Constitutional body.

The appointment of Rao for an interim period, the Centre said, will subsist "till the CVC concludes its inquiry into all issues which have given rise to the present extraordinary and unprecedented situation and till the CVC and/or Government of India takes an appropriate decision in accordance with the law as regards to the measures to be adopted as a consequence thereof".