“It seems the government decided to bypass the Opposition and that is why it did not go for the meeting of the collegium as it had decided to hand over additional charge to Asthana,” said a former CBI director.
Asthana was elevated as second-in-command in the CBI only two days ago, after a special director, R.K Dutta, was shifted to the home ministry as special secretary.
“Dutta was among the front-runners for the top post. But the government shifted him out to pave the way for Asthana,” said a home ministry official.
The move has led to resentment among those shortlisted for the top post, including a woman officer. “It’s unthinkable, unfair and smacks of bias and favouritism. The government superseded several officers by giving additional charge to Asthana,” said one of the candidates.
Former CBI director Joginder Singh said it was an open secret that ruling parties used the agency to settle “political scores”. “The government of the day appoints people in the agency who have been close to them to suit their hidden agenda and the Modi government is doing the same,” he said.
Today, a DoPT order said Asthana had been appointed by “the competent authority”. “The competent authority has approved assignment of additional charge of the post of director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to Rakesh Asthana, IPS, additional director, CBI with effect from the date of relinquishment of charge by Anil Kumar Sinha, IPS on completion of his tenure with immediate effect and until further orders.”
Sinha, the outgoing director, refused to comment on Asthana’s appointment. Nor did he respond to questions on whether Gujarat cadre officers were calling the shots in the agency.
(Sourced from agencies, feature image courtesy:abplive.in)
