New Delhi, June 27: Enforcement Directorate investigating officer Rajeshwar Singh has gone on a one year leave, say reports. This comes as the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered that it is the Centre which will decide whether to keep Singh or remove him. The court has modified its interim order granting protection to Singh against inquiry. Rajeshwar Singh had been investigating the Aircel Maxis case.

A vacation bench comprising justices Arun Mishra and SK Kaul said, "no officer should be under any cloud." The court said that allegations levelled against Singh were serious and required to be looked into.

"As a matter of fact, when there are allegations, whether right or wrong against you (Singh) it has to be looked into," the bench said, adding "the things which have come before us are startling."

"You are simply an officer. You can't be given a blanket clean chit. Everybody is accountable. You must be accountable for any action. We need to ensure that you are accountable. We don't want to damage you or comment against you. There are very serious allegations against you," the bench told the officer.

Meanwhile, according to CNN News18, the ED probe officer has claimed that attempts are being made to remove him from the investigation team. He has written to the Revenue Secretary claiming a threat to his life and applying for a one-year leave.

One Rajneesh Kapur had filed a petition in the apex court seeking investigation against Singh for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets. Singh had filed a separate contempt plea against Kapur and had claimed that attempts have been made to delay the probe in Aircel-Maxis case. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had also moved Supreme Court seeking permission to implead himself as a party in the plea filed by Kapur.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2018 03:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).