Rafale Deal Row: 'Centre Irked With CBI Chief Alok Verma For Meeting Prashant Bhushan, Arun Shourie'
As per the normal procedure, a Union Minister pointed out, the complaint is to be submitted at the CBI office reception. In this case, however, Shourie and Bhushan met Verma in person and explained to him why a probe is needed
New Delhi, October 9: The Centre is reportedly irked over the meeting between Central Bureau of Investigation chief Alok Verma with lawyer Prashant Bhushan and former Union Minister Arun Shourie. The meeting was held last week when Bhushan and Shourie petitioned the CBI seeking a probe into the Rafale deal.
The complaint has been jointly put forth by Bhushan, Shourie and former BJP veteran Yashwant Sinha. The trio have alleged irregularities in the Rafale fighter jet deal with Dassault Aviation, claiming that pact was amended in 2015 to benefit Reliance Defence Ltd at the cost of national interest. Rafale Row: Prashant Bhushan Says IAF Officials Being Forced to Speak in Praise of the New Deal.
A senior member of the Union Cabinet, while speaking to NDTV on the condition of anonymity, said the CBI director went out of the order by meeting the complainants.
As per the normal procedure, the Minister pointed out, the complaint is to be submitted at the CBI office reception. In this case, however, Shourie and Bhushan met Verma in person and explained to him why a probe is needed, apart from handing over their written complaint.
Notably, the investigation into Rafale deal by the premier agency would require the Centre's nod or a judicial order.
Apart from the CBI boss, the government is reportedly miffed with two top officials of the Enforcement Directorate - Karnal Singh and Rajeshwar Singh. The latter, who is the agency's special director, had last month written a letter to Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, accusing him of "siding with scamsters". The letter was forwarded by Karnal Singh, the chief of ED.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 11:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).