CBI director removed because PM feared action in Rafale scam: Congress

Rubbishing Congress’allegations, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, said that the decision was based on the Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) recommendations.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi. (PTI)

New Delhi: The Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday linked the ongoing feud in the Central Bureau of Investigation with the Rafale Deal and claimed that the Director of the country’s biggest investigative agency Alok Verma has been “sacked” to hinder investigation on Rafale. He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of interfering in the working of the CBI. Congress President Rahul Gandhi also alleged that the prime minister "broke the law" and "bypassed" the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of Opposition, who were part of the panel that selected the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief. Rubbishing Congress’allegations, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, said that the decision was based on the Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) recommendations. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Modi government has put the "last nail" in the independence of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by removing Verma. "Systematic dismantling and denigrating of CBI is now complete. Once a premier investigating agency, PM ensures that CBI's integrity, credibility and reliability is 'buried and dead'," he said. "Has the CBI Director been sacked for his keenness to probe the layers of corruption in Rafale Scam? Isn't the rest shoddy cover up? Let PM answer," he said in another tweet. Another Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi, during a press conference, said the CVC has no power to interfere in removal, appointment or reappointment, and is a supervisory body. Congress to hold protests on Friday:  The Congress will hold protests on Friday outside all CBI offices across the country, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reinstatement of CBI director Alok Verma who was sent on leave. Top Congress leaders will be part of the protest outside the Central Bureau of Investigation headquarters in the national capital, while state leaders, including state party chiefs, will take part in similar protests. Top Congress sources said the party will ask the prime minister to apologise to the nation for "illegal and unconstitutional" sending on leave of the CBI director.