A battle of egos
What is going on in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). There is a
battle of egos between two individuals at the helm involving Director Alok
Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana. Now only one of them will be proved
right; the Director has made bribery charges against Asthana.
Asthana’s appointment as Special Director was made despite Verma’s
vehement objections about his suitability, something the CVC chose to overrule.
In such circumstances, it is up to the CVC and the Centre to address the
present crisis.
The director of CBI filing an FIR against the number 2 itself shows that
the director was more keen to keep the number 2 out of CBI. The speed with
which the CBI director acted itself proves that the director was in a hurry. The
CBI can no longer be trusted to be above corruption earlier it was not so open
but the present feud has made it crystal clear
Why such a person rejected by selective panel objected to the selection
of candidates by the Director himself has to be proved now beyond all doubts.
Unless the clouds are vanished by a superior agency, the needle of suspicion
hangs in balance. Why our Prime Minister has chosen him for this post? All
persons who believe in natural justice requires answers for this episode. Impartial,
deep and honest enquiry can only find out the truth. Let us hope the Supreme
Court has to find way or good remedy for such a ugly affair in a topmost
respected agency. Do not damage the respect and prestige of this nation. Government
should exercise extra care while selecting the candidates to such high
positions, at least in future.
It is interesting to note that Verma has only two months tenure left and
he has in his hand a complaint about the alleged corruption complaint on Rafale
deal which has not been given its due process of registering an FIR within a
week as per the norms. Now that may not find the light of the day. Well, there
is still a battle brewing up in the Supreme Court. Hope with a new CJI things
will be fair.
What is the purpose of existing of an investigating agency which always
remains in bad news either due to corruption within itself or being politically
motivated. If two people at the top cannot coordinate themselves and are
alleged of corruption, what about petty investigators within the institution. A
better thing will be to have a new investigating agency under the jurisdiction
of Parliament and Supreme Court.
CBI has always been pampered organisation and powerful tool in the hands
of union government to keep disgruntled elements in check. Appointments of top
echelons of investigative agency are of political in nature. Merits and
integrity no longer are deciding factor in the selection process. What matters
most is the loyalty of the incumbent. That is why high profile cases generates
more friction than heat.
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