Feuding CBI Chiefs Sent Home Packing, Nageswara Rao Appointed Interim Head

The Union Government acted decisively to end the bitter feud between CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana by ordering them both to go on leave. This is an unprecedented action in the history of India ‘s premier investigating agency, Times Of India has reported.

The Prime Minister-led appointments committee in an order on Tuesday night (23 October) also decided to hand over the interim charge of CBI director to Joint Director M Nageshwara Rao with immediate effect.

Late night strike by the government meant that all the three additional directors in the investigating agency's hierarchy, including A K Sharma, whose name had figured in the Asthana’s complaint, have been sidelined.

Nageshwar Rao, IPS, is currently working as joint director in the agency. He will immediately take over CBI’s duties and functions.

The government reportedly took the decision to remove CBI director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana after the Chief Vigilance Commission felt that there can't be a fair probe on charges against them if they continue in the agency.