Alok Verma, Rakesh Asthana sent on leave; Nageshwar Rao appointed interim CBI director

New Delhi: In an unprecedented development, that follows the recent happenings within the Central Bureau for Investigation, its director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana have been sent on leave and M Nageshwar Rao, a senior Joint Director with the probe agency, has been given the interim charge as CBI director.

According to an order by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana have been sent on leave.

“The appointments committee of the cabinet has approved that during the subsistence of the aforesaid interim measure, Mr Rao, IPS, will look after duties and functions of director CBI and shall take over the duties and functions with immediate effect,” the order by the committee said.

The move came in the early hours on Wednesday with recommendation by the vigilance agency.

This comes after the probe agency had filed case against Asthana, wherein he was accused by the agency of bribery.

Sources said all officers working with the CBI director have been sent on leave. (UNI)