PM sent CBI director on leave out of fear: Rahul Gandhi

Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma on leave, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the former acted out of fear as he was involved in corruption.

"The Prime Minister has put Rs 30,000 crore in the pocket of Anil Ambani after stealing from the Air Force, and the youth. The country knows about it. The Prime Minister can run, but can't hide from the truth. It will come out. Removing the CBI director will not make any difference. The truth will come out in the end," the Gandhi scion said after leaving Lodhi Colony police station, where he was taken after being detained for protesting outside the CBI headquarters.

During the demonstration, several party workers marched towards the CBI headquarters with their president. Protestors raised slogans and placards as their party president sat atop a crowded truck amidst tight security. A supporter was seen sitting inside a cage with a placard that read 'the CBI'.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP South) Vijay Kumar said that eight leaders and 150 workers of the Congress were detained for 20 minutes before being released.

The grand old party had called for nationwide protests outside the offices of the CBI.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Raj Babbar, who was leading a protest in Lucknow, was also detained. Police also used water cannons to disperse protestors in Chandigarh.

The government recently sent Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana on leave after both levelled allegations of accepting bribes at each other. However, the CBI on Thursday informed that Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana would continue to remain the CBI Director and Special Director, respectively.