CBI director removed because PM feared action in Rafale scam: Rahul Gandhi

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.