Opposition parties Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the government over the removal of the CBI director with the Congress describing the decision as the "last nail" in the independence of the agency but the Centre defended its move as "absolutely essential" to maintain CBI's institutional integrity.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also asserted that the government's decision to send Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana was based on the recommendations of the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
A late night order on Tuesday from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent Verma and Asthana, who were at loggerheads, on leave.
Leading the attack against the government on the issue, Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged that Verma was forcibly sent on leave as he was collecting documents relating to the Rafale 'scam', adding the country and its Constitution were in danger under the ruling dispensation.
"Modi govt buries the 'last nail' into the independence of CBI. 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," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
Jaitley dismissed as "rubbish" allegations that Verma was removed because he was collecting documents on the Rafale fighter jet deal.
"I regard this charge as rubbish. The fact that opposition parties are saying we know what agency was going to do next itself casts a doubt on the fairness process. I don't believe what they are saying is true, but if they did have access to what was going on in the mind of a person that itself demolishes the integrity of the person they are trying to support," he said.
Besides sending Verma and Asthana on leave, the government also transferred several CBI officials and appointed M Nageswar Rao as the interim chief of the agency.
In a tweet, Gandhi said, "CBI Chief Alok Verma was collecting documents relating to the Rafale scam. He was forcibly sent on leave".
"The Prime Minister's message is very clear that whoever comes near Rafale (issue) will be removed, wiped out," he charged.
A number of opposition leaders including TMC's Mamata Banerjee, CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury, BSP's Mayawati, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and CPI's D Raja were among those who attacked the government over removal of Verma.
"CBI has now become so called BBI (BJP Bureau of Investigation) - very unfortunate!" Banerjee tweeted.
Mayawati also attacked the government on the issue, alleging that the Centre's "vindictive, casteist and communal policies" have put not only the CBI, but other agencies as well under similar problem.
DMK president M K Stalin too slammed the government for removing Verma, alleging that institutional freedom was facing serious threat under the Modi government.
"Director Alok Verma being sent on leave at a crucial time appears motivated with #RafaleScam under the scanner. The appointment of a corrupt officer as interim head of #CBI is equally questionable," he tweeted.
In his reaction, Yechury alleged that the government removed Verma to protect its 'handpicked' officer Asthana.
"The illegal removal of CBI chief by Modi government to protect their own handpicked officer, against whom serious charges of corruption are being investigated, points to attempts at a serious cover-up to protect his direct links to the BJP's top political leadership", tweeted Yechury.
"To ensure that the CBI is not a 'caged parrot', the Supreme Court had granted protection to its chief from govt's whims and fancies by giving him a two-year tenure. What is Modi govt trying to hide by its panic move?" he asked.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Kejriwal echoed him.
"What are the reasons for sending CBI director on leave? Under which law did the Modi govt get the authority to initiate action against the chief of an investigating agency appointed as per the Lokpal Act? What is Modi govt trying to hide?" he asked on Twitter.
CPI leader Raja described the situation in the CBI as one akin to a "coup" that has shocked the nation and demanded that Modi, as head of the government, explain the truth to the people.
"What is happening in the CBI is like a coup that has shocked the entire nation. The CBI has been plunged into such a crisis. Its credibility stands completely destroyed. It is happening under the nose of the prime minister.
"There is speculation that it has something to do with the Rafale scam. People want to know the truth. The prime minister being the head of the government should explain to the people and the nation," Raja said.
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