The Congress chief said that the director of the investigative agency can only be appointed or removed by a consensus between the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition.
"This (Verma's removal) is an insult to the Constitution of India, the leader of opposition, and the people of India. It is also illegal and criminal," Rahul Gandhi said while addressing the media in the national capital.
The Congress president also questioned the timing of the "removal" of Verma.
"The question which should be asked is why the decision was taken at 2 in the morning?" he questioned.
Rahul further claimed that attempts are being made to suppress evidence.
"The CBI director was not only removed, but his room was also sealed. The incriminating documents that were with him were taken away and that is why the work was done at 2am. There was an effort to bury the evidence," Rahul claimed.
Rahul said that Verma was sacked because he was about to begin a probe into the Rafale jet deal.
The Congress president further added that the Prime Minister is scared and the decision to remove the CBI director was taken in panic.
"PM’s reaction was in a panic. He is scared that he indulged in corruption and could get caught. The day CBI's investigation starts, the PM will be finished," he added.
The interim charge of the agency has been given to a person who has cases against him so that the Prime Minister can control him, Gandhi alleged, referring to joint director Nageswara Rao.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana were asked to go on leave as per the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission and it was "absolutely essential" to maintain the institutional integrity of CBI.
The CBI today said that both Verma and Asthana will remain in their roles, but cannot attend office till the CVC probe is concluded.
from Times of India https://ift.tt/2qaaIr6
