CBI Officer Ajay Bassi Hands Over Secret Records to Supreme Court, Including 'WhatsApp Proof'
In the petition filed before the apex court, Bassi claimed that his transfer is aimed to 'impede the probe against Asthana'.
New Delhi, October 30: CBI officer Ajay Bassi, who moved the Supreme Court today challenging his transfer to Port of Blair, handed over the secret records he accessed so far while probing the bribery charge against the agency's special director Rakesh Asthana.
Among the records handed over to the top court includes a "WhatsApp proof", which points to the conversation between Manoj Prasad, son of former RAW chief Dineshwar Prasad, and his brother, with the latter allegedly asking him to "pressurise" Satish Sana, a Hyderabad-based businessman linked to the case involving controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi. CBI Interim Chief Nageswara Rao Accused by CPM Leader of 'Giving Communal Speech'.
Satish has accused Asthana of demanding a bribe of Rs 5 crore through Prasad for clearing his name in the scandal involving Moin Qureshi.
In the petition filed before the apex court, Bassi claimed that his transfer is aimed to "impede the probe against Asthana".
Notably, Bassi was among the 13 officers whose transfers were approved immediately after taking charge by interim CBI director Nageswara Rao.
Bassi's petition before the top court sought immediate annulment of the transfer order. The SC bench, however, decided not to take up the matter on urgent basis.
Meanwhile, the Central Vigilance Commission is conducting a court-monitored probe against Alok Verma, the CBI chief who has been sent on a "forced leave". Verma is accused by Asthana of seeking a bribe of Rs 3 crore from Satish to clear him from the Moin Qureshi-linked case.
The Supreme Court has asked the CVC to conclude its probe within 10 days and submit a report before the CJI Ranjan Gogoi-led bench on November 12, when the matter is listed for hearing.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 30, 2018 09:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).