New Delhi, Oct 25: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of removing CBI Director Alok Verma in a bid to stop him from investigating the Rafale “scam”.
He also alleged that the prime minister “broke the law” and “bypassed” the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of Opposition, who were part of the panel that selected the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief.
There was no immediate reaction from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on the allegations.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has, however, dismissed as “rubbish” the allegations that Verma was removed because he wanted to look into the Rafale fighter jet deal.
He said the government’s decision to remove Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana was based on the Central Vigilance Commission’s (CVC) recommendations.
Gandhi also alleged that Verma was forcibly sent on leave as he was collecting documents relating to the Rafale “scam”.
Verma and Asthana have been “divested of all powers” amid an ongoing spat between them.
