CBI crisis: Opposition parties cry foul as Modi govt defends action

Rahul Gandhi said Verma was sent on leave as he was collecting documents relating to the Rafale "scam"

Opposition parties on Wednesday launched an attack on the government over the removal of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director, Alok Verma. The Congress described the decision as the “last nail” in the independence of the agency but the Centre defended its move as “absolutely essential” to maintain the agency’s institutional integrity.
 
The Opposition said the government “bypassed” the three-member committee comprising the prime minister (PM), the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, responsible for selection and removal of the CBI chief.
 
Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Verma was