Mumbai, October 24: A petition has been filed before the Bombay High Court seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against the Central Bureau of Investigation director Alok Verma. The plea comes amid a turf war within the premiere agency, with the top two officials of the CBI levelling grave allegations against each other.

Verma, who was sent on leave by the Centre on Wednesday, had been accused by CBI special director Rakesh Asthana of attempting to scuttle the probe in IRCTC Hotel scam case, involving former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav as the prime accused. CBI vs CBI: Government Reacts to Turmoil, Arun Jaitley Says 'Fair Probe Essential to Maintain Investigative Agency's Integrity'

The CBI chief was also accused by Asthana of accepting a bribe of Rs 2 crore from Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Sana, accused in the money laundering case linked to meat exporter Moin Qureshi.

Verma, on the other hand, has accused Asthana of running an "extortion racket" within the CBI. A case was filed by the agency against Asthana based on Sana's complaint that the officer had sought Rs 3 crore from him.

Asthana on Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court seeking dismissal of the case registered against him by the CBI. Although the bench denied staying the proceedings, it ordered the probing body to not to arrest Asthana at least till October 29 -- when it would resume the hearing in the case.

In wake of the escalating feud, the government intervened on Wednesday and sent both the officials on leave till the matter remains in court's jurisdiction. For the interim period, IPS Nageshwar Rao, the incumbent CBI Joint Director, would be heading the agency, said the statement issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 24, 2018 03:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).