Big shake-up in the CBI: Government curtails tenure of Rakesh Asthana, sends him back to parent cadre

In a big shake-up within the CBI, the government has curtailed the tenure of Rakesh Asthana and three other officers.

The other three officers are Arun Kumar Sharma, Manish Kumar Sinha, Jayant J Naiknavare.

The Centre has approved the Department of Personnel and Training's order to curtail the officers' tenure at the investigation agency. 

All the officers have been sent to their parent cadres. 

Asthana will head the Bureau of Civil Aviation and Security. AK Sharma as ADG of the CRPF. Manish Sinha will be sent to BPRD.

Read the order below:

While former CBI Director Alok Verma against whom Asthana had made allegations was sacked in January, Asthana has been facing charges against him filed by businessman Satish Sana.

On January 11, the Delhi High Court refused to quash the FIR filed against on-leave CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana and Deputy Superintendent Devender Kumar. Accordingly, the CBI has been given 10 weeks to conclude the probe into charges against Asthana. 

Following the Delhi High Court's verdict, Rakesh Asthana sought the liberty to appeal before the Supreme Court. The request was granted. However, the Delhi High Court refused to grant interim protection to Asthana but did ask the CBI to maintain a status quo for 2 weeks.

READ | Delhi HC Refuses To Quash FIR Against Rakesh Asthana, Permits Him To Appeal To SC Even As Alok Verma Refuses To Take Over As DG Fire Services

The Delhi High Court bench of Justice Waziri had reserved its judgment in the case on December 20. The FIR in the case had been filed by Hyderabad-based businessman Satish Sana who alleged that he had paid bribes in exchange for relief in the meat-exporter Moin Qureshi case.

Removal of Alok Verma as CBI Boss

On January 10, the selection panel headed by PM Narendra Modi sacked Alok Verma as the CBI chief.

The selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met for the second time on Thursday, January 10 to decide the fate of CBI Director Alok Verma who was reinstated by a Supreme Court order after he was sent on forced leave by the government.

READ | MASSIVE: CBI Boss Alok Verma Sacked By Selection Panel