Rafale scam could be reason behind sending Alok Verma on leave: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the investigation on the Rafale fighter jets scam could be the reason behind the central government's decision to send Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) director Alok Kumar Verma on leave.

Speaking to ANI, the Chief Minister said, "Media has reported that the CBI Director wanted to investigate Rafale Deal. I think that could be the only reason that the Director was transferred at 3 a.m."

Furthermore, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi lashed out at the ruling government, claiming that all democratic institutions are being undermined.

"I have faith that the SC would give relief to the CBI director as its violation of section 4 of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. I want to know which section Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) will use to remove him. Why is the Prime Minister protecting a corrupt officer? All democratic institutions are being undermined," he noted.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy said he would discuss Verma's leave order with Prime Minister Modi to bring the CBI top brass back.

"Alok Verma is an honest person. I know he has done an excellent work as a Commissioner of Police in Delhi. Chidambaram has never prosecuted him the way he has been confabulating with. When Chidambaram was Home Minister I have to go to court to save the Enforcement Directorate (ED) joint director Rajeshwar Singh to continue the investigation, on the person who has been attacked by the Chidambaram government. The Government had a right to remove any officer at any time. We can't know the officers work until they get into the ground. I know Alok Verma today also I will give a certificate to Prime Minister Modi to bring back him."

M Nageshwar Rao was appointed 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.

He 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 CBI special director Rakesh 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.