CBI Feud:SC accepts Alok Verma's petition, hearing likely on October 26

The Central Government on Wednesday appointed Joint Director M Nageshwar Rao as the interim Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director with immediate effect. He was working as the joint director in the CBI. Rao will look after all the functions and duties of the CBI director.  

The order stated, "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved that during the period of the subsistence of the aforesaid interim measure, cited in reference above, Shri M Nageshwar Rao, IPS, presently working as Joint Director, CBI shall look after duties and functions of Director CBI and shall take over duties and functions with immediate effect." 

A new team headed by Satish Dagar has also been formed by Nageshwar Rao to impartially investigate bribery allegations against Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana.

Meanwhile, CBI Director Alok Verma filed a petition challenging the Centre's order asking him to proceed on leave, which now has been accepted by the Supreme Court. The court is likely to hear it on October 26. Gopal Sankaranarayanan, the lawyer appearing for Alok Verma, told the Supreme Court that the central government in the morning asked Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana to go on leave compromising the investigation into many sensitive cases.