PM owes answer to people on CBI row: CPI

The CPI said Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi should clarify the situation in CBI as the credibility of the premier investigation agency is at stake after two senior officials levelled corruption charges against each other.

CPI national secretary D Raja said questions are being raised over CBI's functioning after its Special Director and second-in-command Rakesh Asthana was booked by the agency last week for allegedly receiving bribes.

Asthana, too, had written about 10 cases of alleged corruption and irregularities against CBI Director Alok Verma in his letters to his letters to the Cabinet Secretary and the Central Vigilance Commission about a month ago.

"The CBI is directly under the prime minister and the PM should clarify what is going on in the CBI. The PM should clarify what is wrong or right. The prime minister owes an answer to people of the country," Raja said.

"What is happening in CBI has seriously impacted the credibility and functioning of the institution. The CBI is considered to be the premier investigative agency, the way there is a fight between the top two, has raised several questions," he said.

Raja said the CBI is expected to work without political interference and with objectivity. He alleged that since the BJP came to power in 2014 such institutions and constitutional bodies are being used and misused by those in power.

He said Asthana has been charged with bribery, the prime minister should make himself clear on the issue.

The CBI has also arrested its Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar in connection with bribery allegations against Asthana, officials said Monday.

Kumar, who was previously the investigation officer in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, was arrested for alleged forgery in recording the statement of Sathish Sana, who had alleged to have paid bribes to get relief in the case, they said.