Rahul targets PM Modi over CBI chief's removal; BJP hits back
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Oct 25, 2018, 20:12 ISTHighlights
- Govt panicked and removed CBI director as he was going to investigate the Rafale jet deal: Rahul Gandhi
- Rahul said that the removal of CBI chief by PM Modi is an insult to Constitution of India
- The Congress president asked why the decision to remove Verma was taken at 2am
NEW DELHI: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the
removal of CBI director Alok Verma
+ by the Modi government is "illegal" and "criminal". The BJP later lashed out at the Congress leader, saying that he manufactures lies over Rafale on a daily basis.
The Congress chief said that the director of the investigative agency can only be appointed or removed by a consensus between the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition.
"This (Verma's removal) is an insult to the Constitution of India, the leader of opposition, and the people of India. It is also illegal and criminal," Rahul Gandhi said while addressing the media in the national capital.
The Congress president also questioned the timing of the "removal" of Verma.
"The question which should be asked is why the decision was taken at 2 in the morning?" he said.
Rahul further claimed that attempts are being made to suppress evidence.
"The CBI director was not only removed, but his room was also sealed. The incriminating documents that were with him were taken away and that is why the work was done at 2am. There was an effort to bury the evidence," Rahul claimed.
Rahul said that Verma was sacked because he was about to begin a probe into the Rafale jet deal. "The government panicked over the possibility of him investigating the Rafale deal," he said.
"Had the CBI investigation started, PM Modi would have been finished," he added.
Hitting back at the Congress president, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said that Rahul Gandhi is manufacturing lies on the Rafale jet deal every day.
The interim charge of the agency has been given to a person who has cases against him so that the Prime Minister can control him, Gandhi alleged, referring to joint director Nageswara Rao.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana were asked to go on leave as per the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission and it was "absolutely essential" to maintain the institutional integrity of CBI.
The CBI today said that both Verma and Asthana will remain in their roles, but cannot attend office till the CVC probe is concluded.
The Congress chief said that the director of the investigative agency can only be appointed or removed by a consensus between the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition.
"This (Verma's removal) is an insult to the Constitution of India, the leader of opposition, and the people of India. It is also illegal and criminal," Rahul Gandhi said while addressing the media in the national capital.
High drama outside ex-CBI director Alok Verma's residence as security personnel catch 4 suspicious men
A high-voltage drama unfolded at ex-CBI director Alok Verma's residence in Lutyens' Delhi on Thursday morning after his bodyguards caught hold of four men from near his residence allegedly on charges of snooping.
The Congress president also questioned the timing of the "removal" of Verma.
"The question which should be asked is why the decision was taken at 2 in the morning?" he said.
Rahul further claimed that attempts are being made to suppress evidence.
"The CBI director was not only removed, but his room was also sealed. The incriminating documents that were with him were taken away and that is why the work was done at 2am. There was an effort to bury the evidence," Rahul claimed.
Govt sends CBI chief, deputy on leave; Verma challenges order in SC
The year-long fight that roiled the CBI and saw Asthana file a complaint accusing Verma of several improprieties and the CBI chief retaliating by registering an FIR against his deputy for alleged corruption ended with both being benched and as many as 14 officers shuffled.
Rahul said that Verma was sacked because he was about to begin a probe into the Rafale jet deal. "The government panicked over the possibility of him investigating the Rafale deal," he said.
"Had the CBI investigation started, PM Modi would have been finished," he added.
Hitting back at the Congress president, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said that Rahul Gandhi is manufacturing lies on the Rafale jet deal every day.
The interim charge of the agency has been given to a person who has cases against him so that the Prime Minister can control him, Gandhi alleged, referring to joint director Nageswara Rao.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana were asked to go on leave as per the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission and it was "absolutely essential" to maintain the institutional integrity of CBI.
The CBI today said that both Verma and Asthana will remain in their roles, but cannot attend office till the CVC probe is concluded.
Download The Times of India News App for Latest India News.
FROM AROUND THE WEB
more from times of india News
LATEST VIDEOS
Trending Videos
Nagpur youngsters form Makers Adda to learn woodcraft01:15- Death threats come pouring down on Iraqi male pageant contestant 01:25
- Removal of CBI director illegal and criminal, says Congress chief Rahul Gandhi02:43
- Priyanka-Nick’s wedding may clash with Deepika-Ranveer’s reception; Ayesha Takia gets trolled for her new look, and more…01:28
- Indian Beauty Queens who sizzled in bikini at International pageants02:33
- Freshers at Mascot00:51
- Sakshi Banode strikes the perfect emotional chord with the shayari lovers01:39
- Marathi musical tadka for Nagpurians 02:13
- Check out these fun live performances on Marathi songs02:03
- A musical treat for all the Nagpurians02:57
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE