CBI Turf War: Ajay Bassi Moves Supreme Court Challenging His Transfer to Andaman, Says It 'Impedes Probe Against Rakesh Asthana'
Although Bassi had sought an immediate hearing of his plea, the apex court denied the same. His petition, however, will be scheduled for hearing on a later date.
New Delhi, October 30: Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajay Bassi, part of the CBI turf war, has moved the Supreme Court challenging his transfer to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The move, he claimed in his petition, is intended to "impede the probe" against CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, facing charges of accepting bribes from a businessman linked to meat exporter Moin Qureshi's case.
Although Bassi had sought an immediate hearing of his plea, the apex court denied the same. His petition, however, will be scheduled for hearing on a later date. SC Orders Court-Monitored Inquiry Within 10 Days Against Verma, Says Interim Boss Will 'Only Perform Routine Task' Till Next Hearing on November 12.
Bassi was part of the team constituted by CBI chief Alok Verma against Asthana, after the agency booked him under charges of bribery.
A day after the investigations against Asthana were initiated, the government intervened and sent Verma on a forced leave, while transferring a couple of officers, including Bassi.
The matter reached the top court last week, when Verma and NGO Common Cause filed a petition challenging the order to sent him on leave. The bench led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi directed the CVC to complete its probe against Verma by November 12 -- when the matter is next listed for hearing.
Both Verma and Asthana are facing counter-allegations of seeking bribe from Hyderabad-based businessman Sana Satish Babu, in a bid to protect him from punitive action in the case linked to Moin Qureshi.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 30, 2018 05:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).