The Delhi High Court, on the 9th of October, conducted a review regarding the Rakesh Asthana case and granted 2 months time to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to solve the case.
Rakesh Asthana, the former Special Director of the CBI was alleged to have committed bribery of Rs. 3 crores. The case started in 2018 between two CBI officers, Alok Verma, the former Director of the CBI and Rakesh Asthana. Both the topmost CBI officers blamed each other of taking a bribe, following which the agency and the Government of India fired the officers and started an investigation for the same.
However, even after 1 year, the CBI did not conclude and still are investigating the matter.
On the 9th of October, Justice Vibhu Bakhru cleared to the CBI that the Court will give no further time for the case and asked the agency to complete the investigation within the stipulated 2 months.
The High Court passed the order after the CBI appealed for an extension of 6 months in the case.
Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee, who represents the CBI submitted a letter to the Delhi High Court seeking an extension. He said the CBI has sent a Letter Rogatory seeking formal judicial assistance from the foreign courts of the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates regarding the case. The CBI is waiting for their response, due to which they need more time. However, the Court refused the plea and asked the CBI to complete the case in a given time.
Recently, after completion of 10 weeks, the High Court granted four months more to the CBI.
The CBI is continuing the investigation regarding the bribery case against CBI officers, Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana.
Stay tuned for further updates.
