The controversial appointment of Rakesh Asthana as CBI Special Director turned murkier on Wednesday as the NGO which has challenged his appointment in the Supreme Court claimed in an affidavit that Asthana’s son was employed with the company that is facing probe from the CBI in a case involving payment of huge bribes to senior public functionaries.
Filing a fresh affidavit in the apex court ahead of the hearing of the PIL listed for Friday, NGO Common Cause brought proof to show that Ankush Asthana worked as Assistant Manager with Sterling Biotech from 2010 to 2012. According to CBI FIR registered against this company, the group run by Sandesara group, acted as a “depository for receiving funds on behalf of persons including public servants and for further delivery to them at a place of convenience.”
The appointment of Asthana as Special Director was opposed by CBI Director but the Central Vigilance Commission cleared his name. The name of Asthana even figured in a diary seized by CBI in 2011 revealing that he had a close nexus with the company.
The NGO also attached news reports to show that a day prior to the wedding of Asthana’s daughter last year, he held a party at a Vadodara farmhouse linked to Sandesara group.