West Bengal Governor KN Tripathi has submitted a report to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the situation that unfolded in the city after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/saradha-rose-valley-ponzi-schemes-cbi-team-shows-up-at-kolkata-police-commissioners-home-194871">a CBI team was allegedly obstructed by the police from questioning Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar</a> in the Saradha scam, Raj Bhavan sources said Monday.

The contents of the report was, however, not immediately known.

"The governor has submitted his report to the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs). Today in the morning he spoke to Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh," sources told PTI.

The report was prepared by combining the report of the Special Investigation Branch and the reports submitted to the governor by the state chief secretary and the home secretary late Sunday night, the sources said.

In an unprecedented development, a number of CBI officers, who had gone to question Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scam cases, were bundled into police jeeps, whisked to a police station and briefly detained on Sunday.

Hours after the incident, West Bengal chief minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-sits-on-dharna-after-cbi-kolkata-police-face-off-194890">Mamata Banerjee began a sit-in right in front of the Metro Cinema to protest "insults"</a> she faced at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah and claimed the CBI knocked on the doors of Kumar without a search warrant.

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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: Our satyagraha is not against any agency, it is against Modi government's atrocities. <a href="https://t.co/s8bUhp6BcC">pic.twitter.com/s8bUhp6BcC</a>
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West Bengal: TMC workers protest against PM Narendra Modi and Central govt over CBI issue in Kolkata. <a href="https://t.co/gg7w2MLusR">pic.twitter.com/gg7w2MLusR</a>
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Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad: What is happening? A Police Commissioner is sitting on a dharna with politicians? What is the meaning of this? By sitting on dharna West Bengal CM is following the footsteps of Arvind Kejriwal <a href="https://t.co/QOwmBbqqbh">pic.twitter.com/QOwmBbqqbh</a>
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Tripathi had last night summoned the state chief secretary and state director general of police and asked them to take immediate action to resolve the situation.

Rajnath Singh had called up the governor to know the facts of the "unfortunate and unprecedented situation of CBI officers being manhandled, detained, intimidated and obstructed", the officials said.

The home ministry on Sunday evening received information that CBI officers in Kolkata had experienced "intimidation and threat to personal safety in course of investigation into the Saradha scam being conducted under the directions of the Supreme Court", they said.

The ministry has deployed central forces at the CBI office and residential premises of the probe agency officials in the state and it is now "closely monitoring the situation", they said.

According to the CBI, IPS officer Rajeev Kumar, who led a Special Investigation Team of the West Bengal Police probing the ponzi scams, needs to be questioned regarding missing documents and files but he has not responded to notices to appear before the agency.

Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, did not even attend a meeting with Election Commission officials who had gone to Kolkata to review election preparedness.&nbsp;

West Bengal Governor KN Tripathi has submitted a report to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the situation that unfolded in the city after a CBI team was allegedly obstructed by the police from questioning Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar in the Saradha scam, Raj Bhavan sources said Monday.

West Bengal Governor KN Tripathi has submitted a report to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the situation that unfolded in the city after a CBI team was allegedly obstructed by the police from questioning Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar in the Saradha scam, Raj Bhavan sources said Monday. The contents of the report was, however, not immediately known. "The governor has submitted his report to the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs). Today in the morning he spoke to Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh," sources told PTI. The report was prepared by combining the report of the Special Investigation Branch and the reports submitted to the governor by the state chief secretary and the home secretary late Sunday night, the sources said. In an unprecedented development, a number of CBI officers, who had gone to question Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scam cases, were bundled into police jeeps, whisked to a police station and briefly detained on Sunday. Hours after the incident, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee began a sit-in right in front of the Metro Cinema to protest "insults" she faced at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah and claimed the CBI knocked on the doors of Kumar without a search warrant. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: Our satyagraha is not against any agency, it is against Modi government's atrocities. pic.twitter.com/s8bUhp6BcC — ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2019 × West Bengal: TMC workers protest against PM Narendra Modi and Central govt over CBI issue in Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/gg7w2MLusR — ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2019 × Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad: What is happening? A Police Commissioner is sitting on a dharna with politicians? What is the meaning of this? By sitting on dharna West Bengal CM is following the footsteps of Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/QOwmBbqqbh — ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2019 × Tripathi had last night summoned the state chief secretary and state director general of police and asked them to take immediate action to resolve the situation. Rajnath Singh had called up the governor to know the facts of the "unfortunate and unprecedented situation of CBI officers being manhandled, detained, intimidated and obstructed", the officials said. The home ministry on Sunday evening received information that CBI officers in Kolkata had experienced "intimidation and threat to personal safety in course of investigation into the Saradha scam being conducted under the directions of the Supreme Court", they said. The ministry has deployed central forces at the CBI office and residential premises of the probe agency officials in the state and it is now "closely monitoring the situation", they said. According to the CBI, IPS officer Rajeev Kumar, who led a Special Investigation Team of the West Bengal Police probing the ponzi scams, needs to be questioned regarding missing documents and files but he has not responded to notices to appear before the agency. Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, did not even attend a meeting with Election Commission officials who had gone to Kolkata to review election preparedness.

Kolkata Police-CBI face-off: West Bengal governor submits report to home ministry

Mamata vs CBI: Supreme Court to hear CBI plea tomorrow

A CBI team showed up at Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's home on Sunday evening. The CBI team was there to question Rajiv Kumar about the Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi schemes.&nbsp;

News reports Saturday had quoted sources in the CBI as saying Kumar was hindering the investigations into the cases, and that his arrest was "imminent".&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/yogi-adityanath-addresses-rally-in-west-bengal-via-audio-link-after-his-chopper-was-denied-permission-194825">West Bengal government 'anti-democratic', says Yogi Adityanath</a>

The reports quoted the sources as adding that Kumar was not attending Election Commission meetings, and that he was absconding. Senior Kolkata Police officials however said that that was not the case.&nbsp;

The CBI team was on Sunday stopped by Kolkata Police and taken to a police station.&nbsp;

Five members of the team were detained, but released later.&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also reached Kumar's home Sunday evening, as did the West Bengal director general of police, and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim.&nbsp;

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Kolkata: West Bengal Director General of Police arrives at the residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also present there, a meeting is currently underway. <a href="https://t.co/oLtLWf3ZnZ">pic.twitter.com/oLtLWf3ZnZ</a>
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Kolkata Police meanwhile stationed themselves outside the CBI's regional office at the CGO complex in Kolkata.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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West Bengal: Police force of Bidhannagar police is present outside the CBI regional office at CGO Complex, Kolkata. <a href="https://t.co/qfm5VFgZSy">pic.twitter.com/qfm5VFgZSy</a>
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The face-off continues to blow up into a constitutional crisis, with BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya saying "democracy has ended in West Bengal".

He added that "CBI was investigating on orders of Supreme Court but they didn't allow them. CBI officers were detained, this is the first time something like this has happened since independence; we condemn this."

Mamata Banerjee meanwhile came down heavily on the side of Kumar.&nbsp;

"I still say Rajeev Kumar (Kolkata Police Commissioner) is the best in the world," she said.&nbsp;

"I will stand with my force. I respect them. I felt very sad today. This is the destruction of the federal structure," she added.&nbsp;

Banerjee added that the CBI had shown up at Kumar's home without notice. That the Kolkata Police could have arrested them, but that they did not do so.&nbsp;

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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: I am proud to say that my responsibility is to give protection to the force. Without notice, you are coming to Kolkata Police Commissioner's house. We could have arrested CBI but we left. <a href="https://t.co/P7DrJjd0Yc">pic.twitter.com/P7DrJjd0Yc</a>
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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: BJP is torturing Bengal. They are forcibly trying to destroy Bengal just because I did brigade rally. Yesterday you saw the language of PM where he threatened. <a href="https://t.co/cK57JFH56j">pic.twitter.com/cK57JFH56j</a>
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She added that the "BJP is torturing Bengal".&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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A CBI team showed up at Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's home on Sunday evening. The CBI team was there to question Rajiv Kumar about the Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi schemes.

A CBI team showed up at Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's home on Sunday evening. The CBI team was there to question Rajiv Kumar about the Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi schemes. News reports Saturday had quoted sources in the CBI as saying Kumar was hindering the investigations into the cases, and that his arrest was "imminent". Also read: West Bengal government 'anti-democratic', says Yogi Adityanath The reports quoted the sources as adding that Kumar was not attending Election Commission meetings, and that he was absconding. Senior Kolkata Police officials however said that that was not the case. The CBI team was on Sunday stopped by Kolkata Police and taken to a police station. Five members of the team were detained, but released later. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also reached Kumar's home Sunday evening, as did the West Bengal director general of police, and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim. Kolkata: West Bengal Director General of Police arrives at the residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also present there, a meeting is currently underway. pic.twitter.com/oLtLWf3ZnZ — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × Kolkata Police meanwhile stationed themselves outside the CBI's regional office at the CGO complex in Kolkata. West Bengal: Police force of Bidhannagar police is present outside the CBI regional office at CGO Complex, Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/qfm5VFgZSy — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × The face-off continues to blow up into a constitutional crisis, with BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya saying "democracy has ended in West Bengal". He added that "CBI was investigating on orders of Supreme Court but they didn't allow them. CBI officers were detained, this is the first time something like this has happened since independence; we condemn this." Mamata Banerjee meanwhile came down heavily on the side of Kumar. "I still say Rajeev Kumar (Kolkata Police Commissioner) is the best in the world," she said. "I will stand with my force. I respect them. I felt very sad today. This is the destruction of the federal structure," she added. Banerjee added that the CBI had shown up at Kumar's home without notice. That the Kolkata Police could have arrested them, but that they did not do so. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: I am proud to say that my responsibility is to give protection to the force. Without notice, you are coming to Kolkata Police Commissioner's house. We could have arrested CBI but we left. pic.twitter.com/P7DrJjd0Yc — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: BJP is torturing Bengal. They are forcibly trying to destroy Bengal just because I did brigade rally. Yesterday you saw the language of PM where he threatened. pic.twitter.com/cK57JFH56j — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × She added that the "BJP is torturing Bengal".

Centre vs Bengal: CBI team shows up at Kolkata Police chief's home, accuses him of obstructing justice

West Bengal Chief Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/saradha-rose-valley-ponzi-schemes-cbi-team-shows-up-at-kolkata-police-commissioners-home-194871">Mamata Banerjee began a "Save the Constitution" dharna</a>&nbsp;at Kolkata's Metro Channel on Sunday night after the CBI and Kolkata Police had faced off earlier.&nbsp;

A CBI team had shown up at Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's home on Sunday evening. The CBI has accused Kumar of hindering investigations into the Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi schemes.&nbsp;

The TMC's Derek O'Brien said 40 officials of the CBI had shown up, and that they did not "even have a search warrant".&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Praveen Tripathi, Joint Commissioner Crime, Kolkata Police: A team of CBI officers came without any papers for what they called a 'secret operation'. When asked what the operation was about, they could not give a satisfactory response. <a href="https://t.co/CyS83Z1aKC">pic.twitter.com/CyS83Z1aKC</a>
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Mamata said the CBI's turning up announced amounted to the "destruction of the federal structure".&nbsp;

"I am going to stage a dharna to save the federal structure. From today I'm going to sit near the Metro Channel. Tomorrow proceedings in state assembly will take place where I will hold a meeting. This dharna means satyagraha," she said.&nbsp;

Kolkata police chief Rajeev Kumar sat with Mamata on her protest.&nbsp;

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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: I am going to stage a dharna to save the federal structure. From today I'm going to sit near the Metro Channel. Tomorrow proceedings in state assembly will take place where I will hold a meeting. This dharna means satyagraha. <a href="https://t.co/vL6My4UA6G">pic.twitter.com/vL6My4UA6G</a>
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sitting on her 'Save the Constitution' dharna at Metro Channel, Kolkata. Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar is also present. <a href="https://t.co/nB6ASQIYFp">pic.twitter.com/nB6ASQIYFp</a>
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"... constitution is in danger, institutions are in danger and the country is in danger. Mamata has fought many battles before and another one starts tonight at 9 pm," O'Brien said.&nbsp;

He added that the "TMC has spoken to all like-minded parties and given them an update on what happened today in Kolkata. It has happened to Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Congress, TDP, AAP and all the parties."&nbsp;

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Derek O'Brien, TMC: Amit Shah and Narendra Modi cannot fight TMC. They are resorting to political vendetta after what they saw in United India rally. BJP knows TMC slogan has arrived - '2019-BJP Finish' <a href="https://t.co/WZYYRUaEsc">pic.twitter.com/WZYYRUaEsc</a>
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The BJP meanwhile said Mamata was behaving "like a dictator... to protect the corrupt in her state".&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Incident taking place in Kolkata are unfortunate," said BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao. "Mamata Banerjee wants to protect the corrupt in her state, like a dictator. She is obstructing investigation of CBI which was there as per SC order. She is shredding apart the constitution. We condemn this."

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GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP: Incident taking place in Kolkata are unfortunate. Mamata Banerjee wants to protect the corrupt in her state, like a dictator. She is obstructing investigation of CBI which was there as per SC order. She is shredding apart the constitution. We condemn this. <a href="https://t.co/ayoxDVAsUb">pic.twitter.com/ayoxDVAsUb</a>
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Rao added that "CBI is working as per directions of SC, no state government has the power to obstruct or detain them. It's unconstitutional and undemocratic... We hope SC gives a direction to WB government, keeping this incident in view otherwise no agency will be able to work in this country."&nbsp;

The events of Sunday evening&nbsp;could very quickly snowball into a constitutional crisis.&nbsp;

Five men of the CBI team were detained, but later released.&nbsp;

And even as the CBI team arrived on Kumar's doorstep, personnel of the Kolkata Police stationed themselves outside the regional CBI office.&nbsp;

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Chit fund case: Visuals from outside the residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. A CBI team is present at the spot. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a> <a href="https://t.co/2nvzbStFa0">pic.twitter.com/2nvzbStFa0</a>
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&nbsp;

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West Bengal: Police force of Bidhannagar police is present outside the CBI regional office at CGO Complex, Kolkata. <a href="https://t.co/qfm5VFgZSy">pic.twitter.com/qfm5VFgZSy</a>
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The Centre then sent CRPF units to the CBI office.&nbsp;

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West Bengal: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units arrive at CBI regional office at CGO Complex, Kolkata. <a href="https://t.co/ii8sCFY4O0">pic.twitter.com/ii8sCFY4O0</a>
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Interim CBI Director M Nageshwar Rao meanwhile told ANI on Sunday evening that "we are investigating these chit fund cases as per the directions of the SC. An SIT has been constituted by the WB government&nbsp;prior to SC's direction under the chairmanship of Rajeev Kumar, who is currently the Kolkata police commissioner."&nbsp;

He added that "they have taken charge of all the evidence, seized all the documents. They have not been cooperating with us in handing over all the documents and a lot of evidence has been destroyed or caused to disappear.&nbsp;There is evidence against him (Rajeev Kumar), he has been instrumental in causing destruction of this evidence and obstructing justice."&nbsp;

By about 10.30 pm Sunday night, reports began to filter in of TMC workers staging protests in the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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West Bengal: Visuals of TMC workers burning an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Asansol over the ongoing CBI issue. <a href="https://t.co/DiYkBzaK2g">pic.twitter.com/DiYkBzaK2g</a>
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The CBI has sought an appointment with West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to discuss the issue.&nbsp;

And Nageshwar Rao said the CBI would approach the Supreme Court on Monday, since the West Bengal Police "is not cooperating".

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CBI Interim Director M Nageshwar Rao: Tomorrow the CBI will approach the Supreme Court on the matter as the West Bengal police is not cooperating. <a href="https://t.co/up2NjMuoPI">pic.twitter.com/up2NjMuoPI</a>
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A number of opposition leaders meanwhile, including Rahul Gandhi, Omar Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Chandrababu Naidu, Mayawati, Sharad Pawar, and Arvind Kejriwal, spoke to Mamata Banerjee over the&nbsp;phone and expressed their solidarity. 
&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee began a "Save the Constitution" dharna at Kolkata's Metro Channel on Sunday night after the CBI and Kolkata Police had faced off earlier.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee began a "Save the Constitution" dharna at Kolkata's Metro Channel on Sunday night after the CBI and Kolkata Police had faced off earlier. A CBI team had shown up at Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's home on Sunday evening. The CBI has accused Kumar of hindering investigations into the Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi schemes. The TMC's Derek O'Brien said 40 officials of the CBI had shown up, and that they did not "even have a search warrant". Praveen Tripathi, Joint Commissioner Crime, Kolkata Police: A team of CBI officers came without any papers for what they called a 'secret operation'. When asked what the operation was about, they could not give a satisfactory response. pic.twitter.com/CyS83Z1aKC — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × Mamata said the CBI's turning up announced amounted to the "destruction of the federal structure". "I am going to stage a dharna to save the federal structure. From today I'm going to sit near the Metro Channel. Tomorrow proceedings in state assembly will take place where I will hold a meeting. This dharna means satyagraha," she said. Kolkata police chief Rajeev Kumar sat with Mamata on her protest. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: I am going to stage a dharna to save the federal structure. From today I'm going to sit near the Metro Channel. Tomorrow proceedings in state assembly will take place where I will hold a meeting. This dharna means satyagraha. pic.twitter.com/vL6My4UA6G — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sitting on her 'Save the Constitution' dharna at Metro Channel, Kolkata. Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar is also present. pic.twitter.com/nB6ASQIYFp — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × "... constitution is in danger, institutions are in danger and the country is in danger. Mamata has fought many battles before and another one starts tonight at 9 pm," O'Brien said. He added that the "TMC has spoken to all like-minded parties and given them an update on what happened today in Kolkata. It has happened to Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Congress, TDP, AAP and all the parties." Derek O'Brien, TMC: Amit Shah and Narendra Modi cannot fight TMC. They are resorting to political vendetta after what they saw in United India rally. BJP knows TMC slogan has arrived - '2019-BJP Finish' pic.twitter.com/WZYYRUaEsc — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × The BJP meanwhile said Mamata was behaving "like a dictator... to protect the corrupt in her state". "Incident taking place in Kolkata are unfortunate," said BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao. "Mamata Banerjee wants to protect the corrupt in her state, like a dictator. She is obstructing investigation of CBI which was there as per SC order. She is shredding apart the constitution. We condemn this." GVL Narasimha Rao, BJP: Incident taking place in Kolkata are unfortunate. Mamata Banerjee wants to protect the corrupt in her state, like a dictator. She is obstructing investigation of CBI which was there as per SC order. She is shredding apart the constitution. We condemn this. pic.twitter.com/ayoxDVAsUb — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × Rao added that "CBI is working as per directions of SC, no state government has the power to obstruct or detain them. It's unconstitutional and undemocratic... We hope SC gives a direction to WB government, keeping this incident in view otherwise no agency will be able to work in this country." The events of Sunday evening could very quickly snowball into a constitutional crisis. Five men of the CBI team were detained, but later released. And even as the CBI team arrived on Kumar's doorstep, personnel of the Kolkata Police stationed themselves outside the regional CBI office. Chit fund case: Visuals from outside the residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. A CBI team is present at the spot. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/2nvzbStFa0 — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × West Bengal: Police force of Bidhannagar police is present outside the CBI regional office at CGO Complex, Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/qfm5VFgZSy — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × The Centre then sent CRPF units to the CBI office. West Bengal: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units arrive at CBI regional office at CGO Complex, Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/ii8sCFY4O0 — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × Interim CBI Director M Nageshwar Rao meanwhile told ANI on Sunday evening that "we are investigating these chit fund cases as per the directions of the SC. An SIT has been constituted by the WB government prior to SC's direction under the chairmanship of Rajeev Kumar, who is currently the Kolkata police commissioner." He added that "they have taken charge of all the evidence, seized all the documents. They have not been cooperating with us in handing over all the documents and a lot of evidence has been destroyed or caused to disappear. There is evidence against him (Rajeev Kumar), he has been instrumental in causing destruction of this evidence and obstructing justice." By about 10.30 pm Sunday night, reports began to filter in of TMC workers staging protests in the state. West Bengal: Visuals of TMC workers burning an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Asansol over the ongoing CBI issue. pic.twitter.com/DiYkBzaK2g — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × The CBI has sought an appointment with West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to discuss the issue. And Nageshwar Rao said the CBI would approach the Supreme Court on Monday, since the West Bengal Police "is not cooperating". CBI Interim Director M Nageshwar Rao: Tomorrow the CBI will approach the Supreme Court on the matter as the West Bengal police is not cooperating. pic.twitter.com/up2NjMuoPI — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019 × A number of opposition leaders meanwhile, including Rahul Gandhi, Omar Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Chandrababu Naidu, Mayawati, Sharad Pawar, and Arvind Kejriwal, spoke to Mamata Banerjee over the phone and expressed their solidarity.

Mamata Banerjee begins 'Save the Constitution' dharna after CBI-Kolkata Police face off

In what could spell fresh trouble for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-summons-p-chidambaram-to-appear-on-june-6-in-inx-media-case--141621">P Chidambaram</a>, the Law Ministry has told the Centre that the CBI can be granted sanction to prosecute the former Union minister in the INX media case.

A senior government functionary said the law ministry's opinion was sought on whether the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) demand to prosecute Chidambaram was legally sound.&nbsp;

The law ministry has now told the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that there was "no legal infirmity" in the CBI's request seeking prosecution sanction.

The ministry, he said, gave its opinion based on evidence&nbsp;provided by the premier investigative agency.

The CBI has already been granted approval by the Centre to prosecute Chidambaram in Aircel Maxis case.

The agency had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 against alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister.

The veteran Congress leader's son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the matter for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh in the case.&nbsp;

In what could spell fresh trouble for P Chidambaram, the Law Ministry has told the Centre that the CBI can be granted sanction to prosecute the former Union minister in the INX media case.

In what could spell fresh trouble for P Chidambaram, the Law Ministry has told the Centre that the CBI can be granted sanction to prosecute the former Union minister in the INX media case. A senior government functionary said the law ministry's opinion was sought on whether the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) demand to prosecute Chidambaram was legally sound. The law ministry has now told the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that there was "no legal infirmity" in the CBI's request seeking prosecution sanction. The ministry, he said, gave its opinion based on evidence provided by the premier investigative agency. The CBI has already been granted approval by the Centre to prosecute Chidambaram in Aircel Maxis case. The agency had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 against alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister. The veteran Congress leader's son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the matter for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh in the case.

INX media case: CBI can prosecute Chidambaram, law ministry tells Centre

New CBI Director <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rishi-kumar-shukla-appointed-new-cbi-chief-officials-194608">Rishi Kumar Shukla </a>is the first officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre to be appointed to the coveted post, officials said Saturday.

Fifty-eight-year-old Rishi Kumar Shukla, a 1983-batch IPS officer who had served as the Madhya Pradesh Police chief for nearly two-and-a-half years, was on Saturday appointed the chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), established in its current form in 1963.

The founder-director of the agency, D P Kohli, an IPS of Uttar Pradesh cadre, had served as Inspector General of Police of Madhya Bharat, which later emerged as Madhya Pradesh after being merged with Vidhya Pradesh and Bhopal states.

"Shukla is a no-nonsense officer and a hard taskmaster. He will do his duty with full commitment, integrity and sincerity as has always been maintained by him all through his career," said a senior IPS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, posted in intelligence agency in Delhi, requesting anonymity.

He is known for ensuring quick investigations into cases of rape in the state during his tenure as the police chief, leading to a substantial decrease in such a heinous crime.

A post-graduate in Philosophy and a native of Gwalior, Shukla ensured that charge sheets in criminal cases were filed at the earliest to ensure a timely start of the trial so that delay in delivery of justice could be minimised, they said.

Although he has not served in the CBI, he was in the Intelligence Bureau where he handled several sensitive matters during his two stints -- between 1992 and 1996, and between 2000 and 2005, they said.

After passing out from the National Police Academy, Shukla started his career as the Additional Superintendent of Police in Raipur (now in Chhattisgarh) in 1985.

He also served in Damoh, Shivpuri and Mandsaur districts in different capacities, before taking over as DGP.

He was appointed as Madhya Pradesh's Director General of Police (DGP) in 2016 by the then BJP government but was recently removed from the post and made as the chairman of MP Police Housing Corporation after a tiff with the newly formed Congress government led by chief minister Kamal Nath, according to state government officials.

He underwent training in the USA for crisis management and hostage negotiations, besides another stint of training in London, they said.

Shukla was appointed the CBI Director for a fixed tenure of two years.

Shukla takes charge of the country's premier investigation agency at a time it has been grappled with controversies.

The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Kumar Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer and former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges. Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption.

New CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla is the first officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre to be appointed to the coveted post, officials said Saturday. Fifty-eight-year-old Rishi Kumar Shukla, a 1983-batch IPS officer who had served as the Madhya Pradesh Police chief for nearly two-and-a-half years, was on Saturday appointed the chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), established in its current form in 1963.

New CBI Director Rishi Kumar Shukla is the first officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre to be appointed to the coveted post, officials said Saturday. Fifty-eight-year-old Rishi Kumar Shukla, a 1983-batch IPS officer who had served as the Madhya Pradesh Police chief for nearly two-and-a-half years, was on Saturday appointed the chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), established in its current form in 1963. The founder-director of the agency, D P Kohli, an IPS of Uttar Pradesh cadre, had served as Inspector General of Police of Madhya Bharat, which later emerged as Madhya Pradesh after being merged with Vidhya Pradesh and Bhopal states. "Shukla is a no-nonsense officer and a hard taskmaster. He will do his duty with full commitment, integrity and sincerity as has always been maintained by him all through his career," said a senior IPS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, posted in intelligence agency in Delhi, requesting anonymity. He is known for ensuring quick investigations into cases of rape in the state during his tenure as the police chief, leading to a substantial decrease in such a heinous crime. A post-graduate in Philosophy and a native of Gwalior, Shukla ensured that charge sheets in criminal cases were filed at the earliest to ensure a timely start of the trial so that delay in delivery of justice could be minimised, they said. Although he has not served in the CBI, he was in the Intelligence Bureau where he handled several sensitive matters during his two stints -- between 1992 and 1996, and between 2000 and 2005, they said. After passing out from the National Police Academy, Shukla started his career as the Additional Superintendent of Police in Raipur (now in Chhattisgarh) in 1985. He also served in Damoh, Shivpuri and Mandsaur districts in different capacities, before taking over as DGP. He was appointed as Madhya Pradesh's Director General of Police (DGP) in 2016 by the then BJP government but was recently removed from the post and made as the chairman of MP Police Housing Corporation after a tiff with the newly formed Congress government led by chief minister Kamal Nath, according to state government officials. He underwent training in the USA for crisis management and hostage negotiations, besides another stint of training in London, they said. Shukla was appointed the CBI Director for a fixed tenure of two years. Shukla takes charge of the country's premier investigation agency at a time it has been grappled with controversies. The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Kumar Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer and former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges. Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption.

Who is Rishi Kumar Shukla, CBI's new chief

The Centre is likely to announce the name of next CBI chief soon, ignoring the objections raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, on the names of probable contenders proposed by the government, officials said.

During the second meeting of the committee on Friday, the government is understood to have put forth a few names of officers who could be considered for appointment as the CBI director, they said.

However, these names were objected to by Kharge, who is part of the three-member committee, the officials said.

Senior IPS officers of 1984 batch, Javeed Ahmed, Rajni Kant Misra and S S Deswal, are said to be among the top contenders for the coveted post.

Ahmed, an officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, is at present the chief of National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences here.

Ahmed's cadre and batchmate Misra is head of the Border Security Force (BSF).

Deswal, who is from Haryana cadre, is the director general of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

"The meeting was inconclusive. No decision could be taken during the meeting," a senior government official said, without citing further details on the selection committee's meeting held here.

The development assumes significance as earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said it was "averse" to the arrangement of an interim CBI director and the Centre should "immediately" appoint a regular chief of the probe agency.

The post of CBI director is "sensitive" and "important", and it is not good to keep an interim director of the agency for a longer period, the top court observed and sought to know as to why the government has not made the appointment yet.

The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges.

Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption.

M Nageswara Rao has been working as the interim CBI chief after Verma's ouster.

Friday's meeting was held at the prime minister's residence -- that lasted for over an hour -- and attended by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Kharge. 
The panel's January 24 meeting had also remained inconclusive.

A list of eligible officers along with their dossiers was shared with the panel members in the last meeting.

"The government presented names of 70-80 officers. There was no mention of their career details including relevant experience. We (referring to CJI Gogoi) have asked them to provide all the necessary details. The next meeting will be convened maybe by next week," Kharge had told reporters after the January 24 meeting.

Verma, after being removed from the post of CBI director by the PM-led panel, was named as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards -- a less significant portfolio.

Verma did not accept the offer and wrote to the government, saying he should be considered as deemed superannuated as he has completed 60 years age of superannuation on July 31, 2017.

He had taken over as the CBI chief on February 1, 2017, for a fixed two-year tenure that ended Thursday.

The Centre is likely to announce the name of next CBI chief soon, ignoring the objections raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, on the names of probable contenders proposed by the government, officials said.

The Centre is likely to announce the name of next CBI chief soon, ignoring the objections raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, on the names of probable contenders proposed by the government, officials said. During the second meeting of the committee on Friday, the government is understood to have put forth a few names of officers who could be considered for appointment as the CBI director, they said. However, these names were objected to by Kharge, who is part of the three-member committee, the officials said. Senior IPS officers of 1984 batch, Javeed Ahmed, Rajni Kant Misra and S S Deswal, are said to be among the top contenders for the coveted post. Ahmed, an officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, is at present the chief of National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences here. Ahmed's cadre and batchmate Misra is head of the Border Security Force (BSF). Deswal, who is from Haryana cadre, is the director general of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). "The meeting was inconclusive. No decision could be taken during the meeting," a senior government official said, without citing further details on the selection committee's meeting held here. The development assumes significance as earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said it was "averse" to the arrangement of an interim CBI director and the Centre should "immediately" appoint a regular chief of the probe agency. The post of CBI director is "sensitive" and "important", and it is not good to keep an interim director of the agency for a longer period, the top court observed and sought to know as to why the government has not made the appointment yet. The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges. Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption. M Nageswara Rao has been working as the interim CBI chief after Verma's ouster. Friday's meeting was held at the prime minister's residence -- that lasted for over an hour -- and attended by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Kharge. The panel's January 24 meeting had also remained inconclusive. A list of eligible officers along with their dossiers was shared with the panel members in the last meeting. "The government presented names of 70-80 officers. There was no mention of their career details including relevant experience. We (referring to CJI Gogoi) have asked them to provide all the necessary details. The next meeting will be convened maybe by next week," Kharge had told reporters after the January 24 meeting. Verma, after being removed from the post of CBI director by the PM-led panel, was named as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards -- a less significant portfolio. Verma did not accept the offer and wrote to the government, saying he should be considered as deemed superannuated as he has completed 60 years age of superannuation on July 31, 2017. He had taken over as the CBI chief on February 1, 2017, for a fixed two-year tenure that ended Thursday.

Ignoring Congress objection, government to announce new CBI director soon

Suspense over the next CBI chief continued on Friday as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-headed selection committee could not reach a decision during its second meeting in Delhi, officials said.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said it was "averse" to the arrangement of an interim CBI Director and the Centre should "immediately" appoint a regular chief of the probe agency.

The post of CBI Director is "sensitive" and "important", and it is not good to keep an interim director of the agency for longer period, the top court observed and sought to know as to why the government has not made the appointment yet.

"No decision could be taken during the meeting," a senior government official said, without citing further details on the selection committee's meeting.

The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges.

Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption.

M Nageswara Rao has been working as the interim CBI chief after Verma's ouster.

Friday's meeting was held at the prime minister's residence -- that lasted for over an hour -- and attended by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

The panel's January 24 meeting has also remained inconclusive.

A list of eligible officers along with their dossiers was shared with the panel members in the last meeting.

"The government presented names of 70-80 officers. There was no mention of their career details including relevant experience. We (referring to CJI Gogoi) have asked them to provide all the necessary details. The next meeting will be convened may be by next week," Kharge had told reporters after the January 24 meeting.

Verma, after being removed from the post of CBI director by the PM-led panel, was named as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards -- a less significant portfolio.

Verma did not accept the offer and wrote to the government, saying he should be considered as deemed superannuated as he has completed 60 years age of superannuation on July 31, 2017.

He had taken over as the CBI chief on February 1, 2017 for a fixed two-year tenure that ended Thursday.&nbsp;

Suspense over the next CBI chief continued on Friday as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-headed selection committee could not reach a decision during its second meeting in Delhi, officials said.

Suspense over the next CBI chief continued on Friday as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-headed selection committee could not reach a decision during its second meeting in Delhi, officials said. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said it was "averse" to the arrangement of an interim CBI Director and the Centre should "immediately" appoint a regular chief of the probe agency. The post of CBI Director is "sensitive" and "important", and it is not good to keep an interim director of the agency for longer period, the top court observed and sought to know as to why the government has not made the appointment yet. "No decision could be taken during the meeting," a senior government official said, without citing further details on the selection committee's meeting. The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges. Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption. M Nageswara Rao has been working as the interim CBI chief after Verma's ouster. Friday's meeting was held at the prime minister's residence -- that lasted for over an hour -- and attended by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. The panel's January 24 meeting has also remained inconclusive. A list of eligible officers along with their dossiers was shared with the panel members in the last meeting. "The government presented names of 70-80 officers. There was no mention of their career details including relevant experience. We (referring to CJI Gogoi) have asked them to provide all the necessary details. The next meeting will be convened may be by next week," Kharge had told reporters after the January 24 meeting. Verma, after being removed from the post of CBI director by the PM-led panel, was named as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards -- a less significant portfolio. Verma did not accept the offer and wrote to the government, saying he should be considered as deemed superannuated as he has completed 60 years age of superannuation on July 31, 2017. He had taken over as the CBI chief on February 1, 2017 for a fixed two-year tenure that ended Thursday.

'No decision' on CBI chief in second meeting of PM-led panel

The Supreme Court Friday termed as "pre-mature" the issue related to transparency in the selection process for appointing CBI Director in the future, saying the endeavour at present is to ensure that a regular chief of the agency is seated "immediately".

The apex court said it cannot lay down general guidelines on transparency in the selection process at this stage as it was seized with the issue of appointment of a regular CBI director.

It said the issue of transparency in the appointment process can be raised if fresh cause of action crops up pointing to the alleged violation in future appointment.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Navin Sinha said this while hearing a petition filed by NGO Common Cause challenging the Centre's decision to appoint M Nageswara Rao as an interim CBI director.&nbsp;

"You want an immediate appointment. Let us stop there. Let the appointment be made first. If you have any grievance that the process is not followed and transparency was not there then you can challenge it later," the bench told lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who was appearing for the NGO.

"We cannot lay down general guidelines at this stage. When you will challenge it in future, we will consider it. Unless there is a concrete cause of action, we cannot interfere in an administrative action," the bench said.

The court's observation came after Bhushan argued that the court must deal with issue of transparency in the process to appoint CBI director.

Bhushan said he was not saying that appointment of a new CBI director should be delayed but he was on the aspect of transparency in the selection process in future.

"For future, the issue of transparency in the process should be kept open," he said.

To this, the bench told Bhushan, "You can file a petition in future on this. This issue is pre-mature at this stage".

Bhushan then referred to earlier judgements of the apex court on the issue of transparency in such appointments.

The bench referred to the 1997 judgement in Vineet Narain case, in which the top court had fixed a tenure of a minimum of two years for the CBI director to allow the officer to work independently.

Justice Mishra said that judgement delivered by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on January 8 in the CBI matter also dealt with this issue and Vineet Narain verdict was quoted in it.

"We will ensure the appointment of a regular director. As for transparency, if there is any lacunae, you will have the option of future litigation," the bench told Bhushan.

"When can I raise this issue? There are so many verdicts that transparency must be there," Bhushan said, adding, "You should lay down that these are the minimum norms that must be followed in appointing the CBI director".

"Vineet Narain is not on transparency. It speaks of independence and the high-powered selection committee," he said.

However, Attorney General K K Venugopal told the court that the high-powered committee headed by the Prime Minister would hold a meeting on Friday to select new CBI director.&nbsp;

The last meeting of the committee took place on January 24 but it remained "inconclusive".

The Selection Committee comprises the Prime Minister, the leader of the largest Opposition party and the Chief Justice of India or his nominee judge of the apex court.

Taking account of Venugopal's submissions, the bench posted the matter for hearing on February 6.

Earlier, three judges of the apex court -- CJI Gogoi and Justices A K Sikri and N V Ramana -- had recused themselves from hearing the petition.

In its petition in the apex court, the NGO has sought specific mechanisms to ensure transparency in the process of appointing the CBI director.

It has alleged that Rao's appointment was not made on the basis of the recommendations of the Selection Committee.

The plea alleged that the government order of October 23 last year, appointing Rao as interim CBI director, was quashed by the top court on January 8 but the Centre "acted in a completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner" to appoint him again in "complete contravention" of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court Friday termed as "pre-mature" the issue related to transparency in the selection process for appointing CBI Director in the future, saying the endeavour at present is to ensure that a regular chief of the agency is seated "immediately".

The Supreme Court Friday termed as "pre-mature" the issue related to transparency in the selection process for appointing CBI Director in the future, saying the endeavour at present is to ensure that a regular chief of the agency is seated "immediately". The apex court said it cannot lay down general guidelines on transparency in the selection process at this stage as it was seized with the issue of appointment of a regular CBI director. It said the issue of transparency in the appointment process can be raised if fresh cause of action crops up pointing to the alleged violation in future appointment. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Navin Sinha said this while hearing a petition filed by NGO Common Cause challenging the Centre's decision to appoint M Nageswara Rao as an interim CBI director. "You want an immediate appointment. Let us stop there. Let the appointment be made first. If you have any grievance that the process is not followed and transparency was not there then you can challenge it later," the bench told lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who was appearing for the NGO. "We cannot lay down general guidelines at this stage. When you will challenge it in future, we will consider it. Unless there is a concrete cause of action, we cannot interfere in an administrative action," the bench said. The court's observation came after Bhushan argued that the court must deal with issue of transparency in the process to appoint CBI director. Bhushan said he was not saying that appointment of a new CBI director should be delayed but he was on the aspect of transparency in the selection process in future. "For future, the issue of transparency in the process should be kept open," he said. To this, the bench told Bhushan, "You can file a petition in future on this. This issue is pre-mature at this stage". Bhushan then referred to earlier judgements of the apex court on the issue of transparency in such appointments. The bench referred to the 1997 judgement in Vineet Narain case, in which the top court had fixed a tenure of a minimum of two years for the CBI director to allow the officer to work independently. Justice Mishra said that judgement delivered by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on January 8 in the CBI matter also dealt with this issue and Vineet Narain verdict was quoted in it. "We will ensure the appointment of a regular director. As for transparency, if there is any lacunae, you will have the option of future litigation," the bench told Bhushan. "When can I raise this issue? There are so many verdicts that transparency must be there," Bhushan said, adding, "You should lay down that these are the minimum norms that must be followed in appointing the CBI director". "Vineet Narain is not on transparency. It speaks of independence and the high-powered selection committee," he said. However, Attorney General K K Venugopal told the court that the high-powered committee headed by the Prime Minister would hold a meeting on Friday to select new CBI director. The last meeting of the committee took place on January 24 but it remained "inconclusive". The Selection Committee comprises the Prime Minister, the leader of the largest Opposition party and the Chief Justice of India or his nominee judge of the apex court. Taking account of Venugopal's submissions, the bench posted the matter for hearing on February 6. Earlier, three judges of the apex court -- CJI Gogoi and Justices A K Sikri and N V Ramana -- had recused themselves from hearing the petition. In its petition in the apex court, the NGO has sought specific mechanisms to ensure transparency in the process of appointing the CBI director. It has alleged that Rao's appointment was not made on the basis of the recommendations of the Selection Committee. The plea alleged that the government order of October 23 last year, appointing Rao as interim CBI director, was quashed by the top court on January 8 but the Centre "acted in a completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner" to appoint him again in "complete contravention" of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.

Issue of transparency in CBI chief appointment 'pre-mature' at this stage, says Supreme Court

Former <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/alok-verma-quits-as-cbi-chief-says-always-stood-for-integrity-of-the-institution-189659">CBI director Alok Verma</a>, who defied a government order asking him to join as chief of Fire Services on Thursday, has told the home ministry that he superannuated from the post of CBI director on January 10, officials said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had directed Verma to take charge as director general of the Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards on Thursday.

Verma immediately responded to the letter from MHA dated January 30, reiterating his position that he had already retired from the service on July 31, 2017 and was serving the tenure of director CBI.

In his response to R S Vaidya, Deputy Secretary in the home ministry, Verma said his date of birth from the official records is July 14, 1957 which implies that date of superannuation was July 31, 2017.

"The undersigned has already crossed the age of 61 years and continued to serve even after his superannuation date as Director, CBI which is a tenure post for a period of two years," Verma wrote in a letter accessed by PTI.

He said since he ceased to be director of CBI from the evening of January 10, 2019 and has already crossed 60 years, he stands superannuated from the post of Director, CBI with effect from the evening of January 10, 2019.

Verma was removed following a split decision of a high- level committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge and Justice A K Sikri, nominated by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.&nbsp;

Kharge has given a strong dissent note against the decision of the committee to oust Verma from the post.

Former CBI director Alok Verma, who defied a government order asking him to join as chief of Fire Services on Thursday, has told the home ministry that he superannuated from the post of CBI director on January 10, officials said.

Former CBI director Alok Verma, who defied a government order asking him to join as chief of Fire Services on Thursday, has told the home ministry that he superannuated from the post of CBI director on January 10, officials said. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had directed Verma to take charge as director general of the Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards on Thursday. Verma immediately responded to the letter from MHA dated January 30, reiterating his position that he had already retired from the service on July 31, 2017 and was serving the tenure of director CBI. In his response to R S Vaidya, Deputy Secretary in the home ministry, Verma said his date of birth from the official records is July 14, 1957 which implies that date of superannuation was July 31, 2017. "The undersigned has already crossed the age of 61 years and continued to serve even after his superannuation date as Director, CBI which is a tenure post for a period of two years," Verma wrote in a letter accessed by PTI. He said since he ceased to be director of CBI from the evening of January 10, 2019 and has already crossed 60 years, he stands superannuated from the post of Director, CBI with effect from the evening of January 10, 2019. Verma was removed following a split decision of a high- level committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge and Justice A K Sikri, nominated by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Kharge has given a strong dissent note against the decision of the committee to oust Verma from the post.

Alok Verma reiterates stand; tells MHA he superannuated on January 10

The next meeting of the selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to pick the new CBI director will take place on Friday, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also member of the panel, said Wednesday.&nbsp;

The last meeting of the panel took place on January 24 but it remained "inconclusive".&nbsp;

"The next meeting of the panel on selection of the CBI chief will take place on February 1 at around 6 PM," Kharge told reporters.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads the three-member panel with Kharge and Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as its members.&nbsp;

In the last meeting, Kharge had sought details of dossiers of all the eligible officers for the post.&nbsp;

The next meeting of the selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to pick the new CBI director will take place on Friday, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also member of the panel, said Wednesday.

The next meeting of the selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to pick the new CBI director will take place on Friday, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also member of the panel, said Wednesday. The last meeting of the panel took place on January 24 but it remained "inconclusive". "The next meeting of the panel on selection of the CBI chief will take place on February 1 at around 6 PM," Kharge told reporters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads the three-member panel with Kharge and Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as its members. In the last meeting, Kharge had sought details of dossiers of all the eligible officers for the post.

Next meeting of PM-led panel to pick new CBI chief on Friday: Mallikarjun Kharge

The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-conducts-raids-in-videocon-icici-bank-loan-case-registers-case-against-chanda-kochhar-192470"> CBI officer-in-charge</a> who lodged FIR in the alleged irregularities pertaining to the sanctioning of loans by<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/icici-bank-shares-surge-6-chanda-kochhar-quits-169384"> the ICICI bank</a> has been transferred out.

The development took place a day after CBI booked former MD and CEO of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar, her husband and others in the case.

Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra, who was Superintendent of Police (SP) of Banking and Securities Fraud Cell of CBI, Delhi, was transferred to CBI’s Economic Offences Branch in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

He had signed FIR against Chanda Kochhar, Deepak Kochhar, Venugopal Dhoot and others on January 22 in connection with ICICI-Videocon case.

On January 24, CBI booked former Chanda Kochhar, her businessman husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon MD Venugopal Dhoot in a case of alleged irregularities in the sanctioning of loans by the ICICI bank.

Kochhar had quit the ICICI on October 4 last year in the wake of allegations that she had favoured Videocon in the lending processes because the consumer electronics company`s founders had invested in a company of her husband Deepak Kochhar.

The CBI filed cases against the three along with some others after conducting raids at four premises in Maharashtra, the investigating agency had said.

The preliminary enquiry apparently showed that from June 2009 to October 2011, ICICI Bank had allegedly sanctioned six high-value loans to various Videocon Group companies, CBI sources said.

Chanda Kochhar had taken over the post of the Managing Director of the ICICI Bank on May 1, 2009. The companies M/S Nupower Renewables Limited (NRL) and M/S Supreme Energy Private Limited (SEPL) have also been named in the case registered by CBI.

It is alleged that SEPL was initially incorporated by Dhoot and his associate Vasant Kakade and the ownership of the company was later transferred to Deepak Kochhar by selling the shares of the company to Pinnacle Energy Trust (PET) which was owned by Kochhar.

It was also alleged that Dhoot had invested a large amount of funds in Deepak Kochhar-owned Nupower months after the Videocon group received Rs 3,250 crore as loan from the ICICI Bank in 2012.

The CBI officer-in-charge who lodged FIR in the alleged irregularities pertaining to the sanctioning of loans by the ICICI bank has been transferred out. The development took place a day after CBI booked former MD and CEO of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar, her husband and others in the case.

The CBI officer-in-charge who lodged FIR in the alleged irregularities pertaining to the sanctioning of loans by the ICICI bank has been transferred out. The development took place a day after CBI booked former MD and CEO of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar, her husband and others in the case. Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra, who was Superintendent of Police (SP) of Banking and Securities Fraud Cell of CBI, Delhi, was transferred to CBI’s Economic Offences Branch in Ranchi, Jharkhand. He had signed FIR against Chanda Kochhar, Deepak Kochhar, Venugopal Dhoot and others on January 22 in connection with ICICI-Videocon case. On January 24, CBI booked former Chanda Kochhar, her businessman husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon MD Venugopal Dhoot in a case of alleged irregularities in the sanctioning of loans by the ICICI bank. Kochhar had quit the ICICI on October 4 last year in the wake of allegations that she had favoured Videocon in the lending processes because the consumer electronics company`s founders had invested in a company of her husband Deepak Kochhar. The CBI filed cases against the three along with some others after conducting raids at four premises in Maharashtra, the investigating agency had said. The preliminary enquiry apparently showed that from June 2009 to October 2011, ICICI Bank had allegedly sanctioned six high-value loans to various Videocon Group companies, CBI sources said. Chanda Kochhar had taken over the post of the Managing Director of the ICICI Bank on May 1, 2009. The companies M/S Nupower Renewables Limited (NRL) and M/S Supreme Energy Private Limited (SEPL) have also been named in the case registered by CBI. It is alleged that SEPL was initially incorporated by Dhoot and his associate Vasant Kakade and the ownership of the company was later transferred to Deepak Kochhar by selling the shares of the company to Pinnacle Energy Trust (PET) which was owned by Kochhar. It was also alleged that Dhoot had invested a large amount of funds in Deepak Kochhar-owned Nupower months after the Videocon group received Rs 3,250 crore as loan from the ICICI Bank in 2012.

ICICI-Videocon loan case: CBI officer who lodged FIR against Chanda Kochhar transferred

The Central Bureau of Investigation has justified the transfer&nbsp;of Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra, the investigating officer in the ICICI Bank case, citing his role in leaking information related to searches.

News agency ANI quoted a source as saying, "On January &nbsp;22 a case was registered and immediately after that, searches were proposed to be conducted. However, possibility of information about searches being leaked was suspected. Therefore discreet inquiry was conducted and role of SP Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra was strongly suspected."

"ICICI case is one of the very important cases that has been pending without progress. The preliminary enquiry was registered earlier in this case and was later converted into registered case", ANI further quoted.

"Hence he has been transferred out. A detailed inquiry into the matter is pending. Searches were under the supervision of Mohit Gupta, SP (CBI). Role of Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra in keeping the case pending and other persons if any is also been looked into, " ANI added.

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CBI Sources: ICICI case is one of the very important cases that has been pending without progress. The preliminary enquiry was registered earlier in this case and was later converted into registered case. <a href="https://t.co/GFqDJSIdeN">https://t.co/GFqDJSIdeN</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1089458983902040065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Superintendent of Police Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra was transferred to Ranchi, a day after filing the FIR in the case against former ICICI CEO Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak and Videocon group MD Venugopal Dhoot on January 22.

The agency had carried out searches at multiple locations after the charge of the case was given to new Investigating officer Mohit Gupta, a CBI they said.

Justifying the transfer, the CBI pinned the blame on Mishra for keeping the preliminary enquiry pending without any reasons, PTI quoted a CBI official as saying.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Central Bureau of Investigation has justified the transfer of Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra, the investigating officer in the ICICI Bank case, citing his role in leaking information related to searches.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has justified the transfer of Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra, the investigating officer in the ICICI Bank case, citing his role in leaking information related to searches. News agency ANI quoted a source as saying, "On January 22 a case was registered and immediately after that, searches were proposed to be conducted. However, possibility of information about searches being leaked was suspected. Therefore discreet inquiry was conducted and role of SP Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra was strongly suspected." "ICICI case is one of the very important cases that has been pending without progress. The preliminary enquiry was registered earlier in this case and was later converted into registered case", ANI further quoted. "Hence he has been transferred out. A detailed inquiry into the matter is pending. Searches were under the supervision of Mohit Gupta, SP (CBI). Role of Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra in keeping the case pending and other persons if any is also been looked into, " ANI added. CBI Sources: ICICI case is one of the very important cases that has been pending without progress. The preliminary enquiry was registered earlier in this case and was later converted into registered case. https://t.co/GFqDJSIdeN — ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2019 × Superintendent of Police Sudhanshu Dhar Mishra was transferred to Ranchi, a day after filing the FIR in the case against former ICICI CEO Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak and Videocon group MD Venugopal Dhoot on January 22. The agency had carried out searches at multiple locations after the charge of the case was given to new Investigating officer Mohit Gupta, a CBI they said. Justifying the transfer, the CBI pinned the blame on Mishra for keeping the preliminary enquiry pending without any reasons, PTI quoted a CBI official as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

ICICI Bank case: Probe officer transferred for 'leaking information related to searches'

The CBI Friday registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation and carried out searches at 30 locations in Delhi-NCR, officials said.

A team of officials from the agency arrived early morning at Hooda's residence in Rohtak, Haryana, they said.

According to the officials, 30 locations in the Delhi-NCR region are part of the probe, the officials said.

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A team of CBI officials is present at the residence of former Haryana Chief Minister BS Hooda in Rohtak, Haryana. <a href="https://t.co/HwPB5TtvVz">pic.twitter.com/HwPB5TtvVz</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1088655006750920705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The agency is tight-lipped about the details of the case as the search operation is underway.

The case is understood to be related to alleged irregularities in land allotment, sources said.&nbsp;

The CBI Friday registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation and carried out searches at 30 locations in Delhi-NCR, officials said.

The CBI Friday registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation and carried out searches at 30 locations in Delhi-NCR, officials said. A team of officials from the agency arrived early morning at Hooda's residence in Rohtak, Haryana, they said. According to the officials, 30 locations in the Delhi-NCR region are part of the probe, the officials said. A team of CBI officials is present at the residence of former Haryana Chief Minister BS Hooda in Rohtak, Haryana. pic.twitter.com/HwPB5TtvVz — ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019 × The agency is tight-lipped about the details of the case as the search operation is underway. The case is understood to be related to alleged irregularities in land allotment, sources said.

CBI registers new case against ex-Haryana CM Hooda in land scam; carries out searches at 30 locations

The high powered selection committee meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday for the appointment of a new CBI Director was inconclusive, sources confirmed.

Names of 80 officers from four IPS batches were presented before the committee. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, who is part of the three-man committee, has sought dossiers of all officials shortlisted by the committee.

Another meeting may be held next week.

The committee, also including CJI Ranjan Gogoi, was slated to appoint a replacement for former CBI Director Alok Verma, the first CBI chief to be ousted in the history of the institution.

Verma was removed as the CBI Director on January 8 following months of conflict with Special Director Rakesh Asthana and was reinstated the following day on the orders of the Supreme Court. However, the committee voted 2:1 and removed Verma from the post on January 11 and appointed M Nageshwar Rao as his interim replacement.

Earlier today, Justice AK Sikri recused himself from hearing the case against the appointment of Rao as the interim CBI chief. This comes after CJI Gogoi, earlier this week, recused himself from hearing the plea, saying he was a member of the high-powered committee. The petitioners in the case claim that the lack of transparency in Rao`s appointment allows the government to exercise "undue influence in the appointment process" especially at the stage of short-listing of candidates.&nbsp;

The high powered selection committee meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday for the appointment of a new CBI Director was inconclusive, sources confirmed.

The high powered selection committee meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday for the appointment of a new CBI Director was inconclusive, sources confirmed. Names of 80 officers from four IPS batches were presented before the committee. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, who is part of the three-man committee, has sought dossiers of all officials shortlisted by the committee. Another meeting may be held next week. The committee, also including CJI Ranjan Gogoi, was slated to appoint a replacement for former CBI Director Alok Verma, the first CBI chief to be ousted in the history of the institution. Verma was removed as the CBI Director on January 8 following months of conflict with Special Director Rakesh Asthana and was reinstated the following day on the orders of the Supreme Court. However, the committee voted 2:1 and removed Verma from the post on January 11 and appointed M Nageshwar Rao as his interim replacement. Earlier today, Justice AK Sikri recused himself from hearing the case against the appointment of Rao as the interim CBI chief. This comes after CJI Gogoi, earlier this week, recused himself from hearing the plea, saying he was a member of the high-powered committee. The petitioners in the case claim that the lack of transparency in Rao`s appointment allows the government to exercise "undue influence in the appointment process" especially at the stage of short-listing of candidates.

PM-led panel's meet to select CBI chief remains 'inconclusive'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-conducts-raids-in-videocon-icici-bank-loan-case-registers-case-against-chanda-kochhar-192470">CBI conducts raids in Videocon-ICICI bank loan case; registers case against Chanda Kochhar</a>

Chanda Kochhar has been accused of misusing her position in the company after she allegedly provided a Rs 3,250 crore loan to the Videocon Group on quid pro quo basis in 2012.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prince-charless-charity-to-stop-taking-huawei-donations-192509">Now, Prince Charles charity to stop taking Huawei donations</a>

Huawei, the world's biggest producer of telecoms equipment, is facing scrutiny in the West over its ties to the Chinese government and concern its equipment could be used by Beijing for spying. It has repeatedly denied the allegations.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/provisional-suspensions-on-hardik-pandya-kl-rahul-revoked-by-coa-192520">Provisional suspensions on Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul revoked by CoA; probe pending</a>

Both the players were criticised and faced a major backlash on social forums for their misogynist comments. The players were ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Australia.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-miners-body-pulled-out-42-days-after-15-workers-were-trapped-192508">Meghalaya miner’s body pulled out, 42 days after 15 workers were trapped</a>

The miners were trapped on December 13 when their illegal mine was flooded. The state banned unregulated mining in 2014 but it still goes on in some places.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/once-a-terrorist-lance-naik-nazir-ahmad-wani-to-get-ashok-chakra-posthumously-for-kashmir-operations-192480">Once a terrorist, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani to get Ashok Chakra posthumously for Kashmir operations</a>

The soldier was once a terrorist, but he gave up those activities and joined the Territorial Army. He was in the 34 Rashtriya Rifles during the operations in which he was martyred and was in the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry regiment.

CBI conducts raids in Videocon-ICICI bank loan case; registers case against Chanda Kochhar Chanda Kochhar has been accused of misusing her position in the company after she allegedly provided a Rs 3,250 crore loan to the Videocon Group on quid pro quo basis in 2012.

CBI conducts raids in Videocon-ICICI bank loan case; registers case against Chanda Kochhar Chanda Kochhar has been accused of misusing her position in the company after she allegedly provided a Rs 3,250 crore loan to the Videocon Group on quid pro quo basis in 2012. Now, Prince Charles charity to stop taking Huawei donations Huawei, the world's biggest producer of telecoms equipment, is facing scrutiny in the West over its ties to the Chinese government and concern its equipment could be used by Beijing for spying. It has repeatedly denied the allegations. Provisional suspensions on Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul revoked by CoA; probe pending Both the players were criticised and faced a major backlash on social forums for their misogynist comments. The players were ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Australia. Meghalaya miner’s body pulled out, 42 days after 15 workers were trapped The miners were trapped on December 13 when their illegal mine was flooded. The state banned unregulated mining in 2014 but it still goes on in some places. Once a terrorist, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani to get Ashok Chakra posthumously for Kashmir operations The soldier was once a terrorist, but he gave up those activities and joined the Territorial Army. He was in the 34 Rashtriya Rifles during the operations in which he was martyred and was in the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry regiment.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed an FIR in the Videocon-ICICI case involving former ICICI Bank managing director and CEO <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-%26-economy/icici-bank-asks-ceo-chanda-kochhar-to-go-on-indefinite-leave-141460">Chanda </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-%26-economy/icici-bank-asks-ceo-chanda-kochhar-to-go-on-indefinite-leave-141460">Kocchar</a> in the Videocon-Nupower case and named her as accused in the case.

CBI has also booked Chanda's husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon group MD Venugopal Dhoot in connection with alleged cheating and irregularities in the case.

Chanda Kochhar has been accused of misusing her position in the company after she allegedly provided a Rs 3,250 crore loan to the Videocon Group on quid pro quo basis in 2012.

CBI raided four locations owned by Videocon Industries and NuPower Renewables.

The investigative agency is also carrying out searches at the group headquarters in Mumbai and offices in Aurangabad, officials said.

The search operation started Thursday morning and also covered offices of Nupower, a company operated by ICICI Bank's former CEO Chanda Kochhar's husband Deepak Kochhar and Supreme Energy, they said.

It is alleged that Videocon promoter Venugopal Dhoot allegedly invested crores of Rupees in Nupower months after the Videocon group got Rs 3,250 crore as loan from the ICICI Bank in 2012, they said.

The move comes 10 months after the CBI registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) against Videocon promoter Venugopal Dhoot, Deepak Kochhar and unidentified others in March last year, they said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed an FIR in the Videocon-ICICI case involving former ICICI Bank managing director and CEO Chanda Kocchar in the Videocon-Nupower case and named her as accused in the case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed an FIR in the Videocon-ICICI case involving former ICICI Bank managing director and CEO Chanda Kocchar in the Videocon-Nupower case and named her as accused in the case. CBI has also booked Chanda's husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon group MD Venugopal Dhoot in connection with alleged cheating and irregularities in the case. Chanda Kochhar has been accused of misusing her position in the company after she allegedly provided a Rs 3,250 crore loan to the Videocon Group on quid pro quo basis in 2012. CBI raided four locations owned by Videocon Industries and NuPower Renewables. The investigative agency is also carrying out searches at the group headquarters in Mumbai and offices in Aurangabad, officials said. The search operation started Thursday morning and also covered offices of Nupower, a company operated by ICICI Bank's former CEO Chanda Kochhar's husband Deepak Kochhar and Supreme Energy, they said. It is alleged that Videocon promoter Venugopal Dhoot allegedly invested crores of Rupees in Nupower months after the Videocon group got Rs 3,250 crore as loan from the ICICI Bank in 2012, they said. The move comes 10 months after the CBI registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) against Videocon promoter Venugopal Dhoot, Deepak Kochhar and unidentified others in March last year, they said. (With inputs from agencies)

CBI conducts raids in Videocon-ICICI bank loan case; registers case against Chanda Kochhar

The CBI has registered an FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in the Rs 3,250 crore ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case and is carrying out searches Thursday at the group headquarters in Mumbai and offices in Aurangabad, officials said.

The search operation started Thursday morning and also covered offices of Nupower, a company operated by ICICI Bank's former CEO Chanda Kochhar's husband Deepak Kochhar and Supreme Energy, they said.

It is alleged that Videocon promoter Venugopal Dhoot allegedly invested crores of Rupees in Nupower months after the Videocon group got Rs 3,250 crore as loan from the ICICI Bank in 2012, they said.

The agency had registered a preliminary enquiry against Videocon promoter Venugopal Dhoot, Deepak Kochhar and unidentified others in March last year, they said.

A PE is a precursor before the agency lodges an FIR to probe criminal charges on the basis of evidence collected during the former exercise.

The agency has now converted it into an FIR which means a full blown investigation has been started by the agency after registration of a case. 
The details of the FIR and names of the accused are awaited, they said.&nbsp;

The CBI has registered an FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in the Rs 3,250 crore ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case and is carrying out searches Thursday at the group headquarters in Mumbai and offices in Aurangabad, officials said.

The CBI has registered an FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in the Rs 3,250 crore ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case and is carrying out searches Thursday at the group headquarters in Mumbai and offices in Aurangabad, officials said. The search operation started Thursday morning and also covered offices of Nupower, a company operated by ICICI Bank's former CEO Chanda Kochhar's husband Deepak Kochhar and Supreme Energy, they said. It is alleged that Videocon promoter Venugopal Dhoot allegedly invested crores of Rupees in Nupower months after the Videocon group got Rs 3,250 crore as loan from the ICICI Bank in 2012, they said. The agency had registered a preliminary enquiry against Videocon promoter Venugopal Dhoot, Deepak Kochhar and unidentified others in March last year, they said. A PE is a precursor before the agency lodges an FIR to probe criminal charges on the basis of evidence collected during the former exercise. The agency has now converted it into an FIR which means a full blown investigation has been started by the agency after registration of a case. The details of the FIR and names of the accused are awaited, they said.

CBI registers FIR in ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case

Supreme Court judge Justice A K Sikri on Thursday recused himself from hearing a plea challenging the Centre's decision to appoint<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-director-nageswara-rao-transfers-20-officers-191880&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi87rTv7YXgAhWLuo8KHR3jBasQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1J6rpIQoeApSYO2oBbRGrd"> M Nageswara Rao as interim CBI director.&nbsp;</a>

A bench headed by Justice Sikri listed the matter for Friday for hearing before a different bench.&nbsp;

As soon as the matter came up for hearing, Justice Sikri told senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for petitioner NGO Common Cause, that he would not like to hear the matter and was recusing himself.&nbsp;

"You understand my position. I can't hear this matter," Justice Sikri said.

Justice Sikri was part of the high powered panel which had removed CBI Director Alok Verma.

Supreme Court judge Justice A K Sikri on Thursday recused himself from hearing a plea challenging the Centre's decision to appoint M Nageswara Rao as interim CBI director.

Supreme Court judge Justice A K Sikri on Thursday recused himself from hearing a plea challenging the Centre's decision to appoint M Nageswara Rao as interim CBI director. A bench headed by Justice Sikri listed the matter for Friday for hearing before a different bench. As soon as the matter came up for hearing, Justice Sikri told senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for petitioner NGO Common Cause, that he would not like to hear the matter and was recusing himself. "You understand my position. I can't hear this matter," Justice Sikri said. Justice Sikri was part of the high powered panel which had removed CBI Director Alok Verma.

Justice Sikri recuses himself from hearing plea on interim CBI Director

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court Wednesday, challenging the appointment of former CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana as Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

The petition, filed by advocate M L Sharma and likely to come up for hearing this week, said the appointment was in contradiction to the law and Asthana be suspended in view of the pending investigation against him.

The Delhi High Court had on January 11 refused to quash the FIR lodged against Asthana on bribery allegations and set a 10-week deadline to complete the investigation.

The government on January 18, however, appointed Asthana as director of the BCAS, India’s regulatory authority for civil aviation security.

The petition said Asthana was under investigation for taking bribes within his duty and his appointment is contradictory to the Classification, Control and Appeal (CCA) Rules 1965.

It said: “Instead of suspension within the CCA rule-1965, Asthana has been promoted and appointed as chief of BCAS by during the pendency of the investigation under Delhi High court in an FIR for bribe and corruption in his official duty.

“This has created a serious injury to the judicial and public office systems violating Articles 21 and 14 and destruction of faith in the three constitutional offices of the country.”

The petition sought framing of a suitable guideline in case of termination of service of the CBI director saying that Prime Minister cannot take part in the deliberations due to conflict of interest.

The CBI Director is appointed by a high-powered Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, the CJI and the leader of the largest opposition party.

“Instead of suspension, Asthana’s appointment as BCES Chief on January 18 is a clear case of personal interest of PM Modi in favour of Asthana and against Verma. Therefore, PM Modi has no legal and moral right to sit as a member of the committee in which Asthana Vs Verma case has been decided,” it said.

Asthana was booked on allegations of criminal conspiracy, corruption and criminal misconduct under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Asthana, a Gujarat cadre IPS officer was at loggerheads with his boss former CBI Director Alok Verma for several months and both of them had levelled charges of corruption against each other.

In a controversial order on October 23, 2018, the government had divested the powers of Verma and Asthana sending them on forced leave as both had accused each other of corruption.

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court Wednesday, challenging the appointment of former CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana as Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court Wednesday, challenging the appointment of former CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana as Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The petition, filed by advocate M L Sharma and likely to come up for hearing this week, said the appointment was in contradiction to the law and Asthana be suspended in view of the pending investigation against him. The Delhi High Court had on January 11 refused to quash the FIR lodged against Asthana on bribery allegations and set a 10-week deadline to complete the investigation. The government on January 18, however, appointed Asthana as director of the BCAS, India’s regulatory authority for civil aviation security. The petition said Asthana was under investigation for taking bribes within his duty and his appointment is contradictory to the Classification, Control and Appeal (CCA) Rules 1965. It said: “Instead of suspension within the CCA rule-1965, Asthana has been promoted and appointed as chief of BCAS by during the pendency of the investigation under Delhi High court in an FIR for bribe and corruption in his official duty. “This has created a serious injury to the judicial and public office systems violating Articles 21 and 14 and destruction of faith in the three constitutional offices of the country.” The petition sought framing of a suitable guideline in case of termination of service of the CBI director saying that Prime Minister cannot take part in the deliberations due to conflict of interest. The CBI Director is appointed by a high-powered Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, the CJI and the leader of the largest opposition party. “Instead of suspension, Asthana’s appointment as BCES Chief on January 18 is a clear case of personal interest of PM Modi in favour of Asthana and against Verma. Therefore, PM Modi has no legal and moral right to sit as a member of the committee in which Asthana Vs Verma case has been decided,” it said. Asthana was booked on allegations of criminal conspiracy, corruption and criminal misconduct under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Asthana, a Gujarat cadre IPS officer was at loggerheads with his boss former CBI Director Alok Verma for several months and both of them had levelled charges of corruption against each other. In a controversial order on October 23, 2018, the government had divested the powers of Verma and Asthana sending them on forced leave as both had accused each other of corruption.

Petition in SC challenging appointment of Rakesh Asthana as aviation security director general

In a major reshuffle, interim CBI Director <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cji-ranjan-gogoi-recuses-himself-from-hearing-plea-challenging-nageswara-raos-appointment-as-cbi-director-191755">Nageswara Rao</a> has transferred around 20 officers, including the investigation officer of the 2G scam case, Vivek Priyadarshi.

Priyadarshi, posted in the Anti Corruption Branch in Delhi, has been transferred to Chandigarh.

The transfer order, however, states that all the officers, who have been specially directed to supervise, investigate or inquire into any case or matter by any constitutional court, shall continue to do.

A Saravanan, who was probing the anti-Sterlite protests firing case in Tamil Nadu in which 13 people were killed, has been shifted to the banking, securities and frauds branch in Mumbai, which is handling the cases of loan default against diamond traders Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, among others, the order said.

He will continue to investigate anti-Sterlite protests case, it said.

Prem Gautam, posted in Special Unit of the CBI which does internal snooping on officers as a vigilance measure, has been relieved from the position. He will continue to probe economic offences and will also handle the additional charge of the Deputy Director (Personnel), it said.

Gautam will be replaced by Ram Gopal, who has been transferred from the Special Crime branch in Chandigarh.

Rao's appointment as interim director has been challenged by activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan in the Supreme Court, which is likely to hear the matter on January 24.

Calling the appointment arbitrary, the plea said he was not appointed on the basis of recommendations of the high-powered selection committee, comprising the Prime Minister, the leader of the largest party in the opposition, and the Chief Justice of India or his nominee Supreme Court judge. 
&nbsp;

In a major reshuffle, interim CBI Director Nageswara Rao has transferred around 20 officers, including the investigation officer of the 2G scam case, Vivek Priyadarshi.

In a major reshuffle, interim CBI Director Nageswara Rao has transferred around 20 officers, including the investigation officer of the 2G scam case, Vivek Priyadarshi. Priyadarshi, posted in the Anti Corruption Branch in Delhi, has been transferred to Chandigarh. The transfer order, however, states that all the officers, who have been specially directed to supervise, investigate or inquire into any case or matter by any constitutional court, shall continue to do. A Saravanan, who was probing the anti-Sterlite protests firing case in Tamil Nadu in which 13 people were killed, has been shifted to the banking, securities and frauds branch in Mumbai, which is handling the cases of loan default against diamond traders Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, among others, the order said. He will continue to investigate anti-Sterlite protests case, it said. Prem Gautam, posted in Special Unit of the CBI which does internal snooping on officers as a vigilance measure, has been relieved from the position. He will continue to probe economic offences and will also handle the additional charge of the Deputy Director (Personnel), it said. Gautam will be replaced by Ram Gopal, who has been transferred from the Special Crime branch in Chandigarh. Rao's appointment as interim director has been challenged by activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan in the Supreme Court, which is likely to hear the matter on January 24. Calling the appointment arbitrary, the plea said he was not appointed on the basis of recommendations of the high-powered selection committee, comprising the Prime Minister, the leader of the largest party in the opposition, and the Chief Justice of India or his nominee Supreme Court judge.

Interim CBI Director Nageswara Rao transfers 20 officers

CBI DSP A K Bassi Monday moved the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/better-not-to-be-in-delhi-it-is-like-a-gas-chamber-supreme-court-191301&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjo4ram3_7fAhUKtI8KHb6-Bu8QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3s3xTKu7FJmZ9ilkefgVzQ">Supreme Court</a> challenging his transfer to Port Blair saying it was vitiated by "malafides" and would prejudice the probe against former special director Rakesh Asthana.

Bassi, who was the investigating officer in the corruption case against Asthana, said he is being "victimised by the present interim CBI Director - M Nageswara Rao, who represents certain elements within the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cji-ranjan-gogoi-recuses-himself-from-hearing-plea-challenging-nageswara-raos-appointment-as-cbi-director-191755&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjzgrO73_7fAhXDsY8KHTqrD28QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1IUPuBkmcDVRV3iDAe0zfk">CBI</a>, who did not want the Petitioner herein to conduct a free and fair investigation in the Asthana FIR".

He said it was Rao, who had passed the order dated October 24, 2018, transferring him to Port Blair and it is the same person at whose behest he is being sent to Andaman Nicobar again in utter disregard to the judgment of this Court in the case of former CBI director Alok Verma.

In his plea, Bassi has challenged the transfer order issued on January 11 saying it is violative of the directions issued by the top court in its judgment on the plea of Verma who was reinstated.

Verma, however, was diverted from his duties as CBI director by the high powered selection committee and transferred as Director General Fire Service.&nbsp;

"It is passed by an officer/authority not competent to pass such orders. The impugned order intends to victimize the Petitioner herein. The impugned order seeks to unfairly prejudice the investigation against Rakesh Asthana, an FIR...Dated October 15, 2018," Bassi said in the plea.

He said there are apprehensions that the transfer order is the first step to implicate him either in false criminal cases or in departmental proceedings for discharging his duties in a fair and impartial manner in the investigation of the FIR pertaining to Asthana.&nbsp;

"The impugned transfer order is non-speaking and fails to disclose reasons for such an emergent sweeping action," the plea said.

Bassi said this is not a routine case of a transfer of an officer. In his application in the Verma case, he had submitted that his transfer is pursuant to a deep-rooted conspiracy, aimed at influencing the course of the investigation against Asthana and further to penalise him for discharging his duties in a free and impartial manner in the case.&nbsp;

He said that subsequent to the January 8 verdict in the Verma case, he had made a representation to the then CBI Director (Alok Verma) on January 9, which was allowed and then he was transferred back to Delhi and assigned to his duties of DSP, CBI, AC-III, New Delhi.

"Once the said representation was accepted and the Petitioner herein was transferred back to Delhi, it was not open for the impugned order to summarily, without application of mind and without any stated reason, simpliciter revoke the said transfer order dated January 9, 2019 by a generic order terming the earlier order as "non-est"," the plea said.&nbsp;

On January 8, the apex court had asked the CBI officers including Bassi, who were transferred overnight to various places after the Centre's decision to divest the probe agency's Director Alok Kumar Verma of his powers, to approach appropriate forum assailing their transfers.&nbsp;

Bassi said he was never a part of any "group or faction" within the CBI and has no concern whatsoever with the alleged disputes that have erupted within the CBI.&nbsp;

"He was assigned certain tasks, under lawful authority (ie. Investigate the Asthana FIR) and was merely discharging his duties in a free fair and impartial manner," the plea said.

Bassi said that he does not claim or content or seek any vested right to be a part of any investigation team that is investigating into the FIR related to Asthana or any other case investigated by CBI.&nbsp;

"As a law-abiding officer of the CBI, it is his duty to discharge the tasks assigned to him to the best of his capability. Therefore the Petitioner does not pray that he be assigned to the investigation team that is investigating the FIR in the Asthana case," he said in his plea.&nbsp;

CBI DSP A K Bassi Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging his transfer to Port Blair saying it was vitiated by "malafides" and would prejudice the probe against former special director Rakesh Asthana.

CBI DSP A K Bassi Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging his transfer to Port Blair saying it was vitiated by "malafides" and would prejudice the probe against former special director Rakesh Asthana. Bassi, who was the investigating officer in the corruption case against Asthana, said he is being "victimised by the present interim CBI Director - M Nageswara Rao, who represents certain elements within the CBI, who did not want the Petitioner herein to conduct a free and fair investigation in the Asthana FIR". He said it was Rao, who had passed the order dated October 24, 2018, transferring him to Port Blair and it is the same person at whose behest he is being sent to Andaman Nicobar again in utter disregard to the judgment of this Court in the case of former CBI director Alok Verma. In his plea, Bassi has challenged the transfer order issued on January 11 saying it is violative of the directions issued by the top court in its judgment on the plea of Verma who was reinstated. Verma, however, was diverted from his duties as CBI director by the high powered selection committee and transferred as Director General Fire Service. "It is passed by an officer/authority not competent to pass such orders. The impugned order intends to victimize the Petitioner herein. The impugned order seeks to unfairly prejudice the investigation against Rakesh Asthana, an FIR...Dated October 15, 2018," Bassi said in the plea. He said there are apprehensions that the transfer order is the first step to implicate him either in false criminal cases or in departmental proceedings for discharging his duties in a fair and impartial manner in the investigation of the FIR pertaining to Asthana. "The impugned transfer order is non-speaking and fails to disclose reasons for such an emergent sweeping action," the plea said. Bassi said this is not a routine case of a transfer of an officer. In his application in the Verma case, he had submitted that his transfer is pursuant to a deep-rooted conspiracy, aimed at influencing the course of the investigation against Asthana and further to penalise him for discharging his duties in a free and impartial manner in the case. He said that subsequent to the January 8 verdict in the Verma case, he had made a representation to the then CBI Director (Alok Verma) on January 9, which was allowed and then he was transferred back to Delhi and assigned to his duties of DSP, CBI, AC-III, New Delhi. "Once the said representation was accepted and the Petitioner herein was transferred back to Delhi, it was not open for the impugned order to summarily, without application of mind and without any stated reason, simpliciter revoke the said transfer order dated January 9, 2019 by a generic order terming the earlier order as "non-est"," the plea said. On January 8, the apex court had asked the CBI officers including Bassi, who were transferred overnight to various places after the Centre's decision to divest the probe agency's Director Alok Kumar Verma of his powers, to approach appropriate forum assailing their transfers. Bassi said he was never a part of any "group or faction" within the CBI and has no concern whatsoever with the alleged disputes that have erupted within the CBI. "He was assigned certain tasks, under lawful authority (ie. Investigate the Asthana FIR) and was merely discharging his duties in a free fair and impartial manner," the plea said. Bassi said that he does not claim or content or seek any vested right to be a part of any investigation team that is investigating into the FIR related to Asthana or any other case investigated by CBI. "As a law-abiding officer of the CBI, it is his duty to discharge the tasks assigned to him to the best of his capability. Therefore the Petitioner does not pray that he be assigned to the investigation team that is investigating the FIR in the Asthana case," he said in his plea.

CBI DSP A K Bassi challenges his transfer to Port Blair, moves to Supreme Court

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has recused himself from hearing a plea challenging M Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim director of the CBI.&nbsp;

Gogoi recused himself saying he is part of the selection panel that will choose a new CBI director. The CBI director is chosen by the prime minister, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India.&nbsp;

The plea will now be heard by another bench.&nbsp;

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Chief Justice of India recuses himself from hearing a plea challenging M Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and has sought transparency in the process of short-listing, selection and appointment of the CBI Director. <a href="https://t.co/VwL8kEOjNK">pic.twitter.com/VwL8kEOjNK</a>
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The plea against Rao's appointment was filed by the NGO Common Cause after former director Alok Verma was transferred out of the agency. (Verma refused to take up his new posting, telling the government to instead consider him retired. Under the rules, the CBI director has an assured tenure of two years during which time he cannot be sacked, replaced or transferred.)&nbsp;

Verma had accused his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana of corruption.&nbsp;Asthana levelled the same charge against Verma. They were both finally shunted out.&nbsp;

ANI added that CJI Gogoi on Monday also sought transparency in the process of shortlisting, selection and appointment of the CBI director.

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has recused himself from hearing a plea challenging M Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim director of the CBI. Gogoi recused himself saying he is part of the selection panel that will choose a new CBI director.

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has recused himself from hearing a plea challenging M Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim director of the CBI. Gogoi recused himself saying he is part of the selection panel that will choose a new CBI director. The CBI director is chosen by the prime minister, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. The plea will now be heard by another bench. Chief Justice of India recuses himself from hearing a plea challenging M Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and has sought transparency in the process of short-listing, selection and appointment of the CBI Director. pic.twitter.com/VwL8kEOjNK — ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2019 × The plea against Rao's appointment was filed by the NGO Common Cause after former director Alok Verma was transferred out of the agency. (Verma refused to take up his new posting, telling the government to instead consider him retired. Under the rules, the CBI director has an assured tenure of two years during which time he cannot be sacked, replaced or transferred.) Verma had accused his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana of corruption. Asthana levelled the same charge against Verma. They were both finally shunted out. ANI added that CJI Gogoi on Monday also sought transparency in the process of shortlisting, selection and appointment of the CBI director.

CJI Ranjan Gogoi recuses himself from hearing plea against Nageswara Rao's appointment as interim CBI director 

In a major breakthrough in the Vyapam scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) gave a clean chit to former Madhya Pradesh Minister Laxmikant Sharma and seven others on Saturday.

The premier investigation agency said that Sharma and the seven others accused were given a clean chit due to lack of evidence in the case.

Furthermore, the CBI had filed a charge sheet against 26 people in connection to the Vyapam scam.

On December 18 last year, a CBI court in Indore had sentenced Manoj, an accused in the case, to five years in prison.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vyapam-case-court-orders-fir-against-senior-cong-leaders-167973">Vyapam scam</a> is an admission and recruitment fraudulent scheme, beginning in 1995, involving politicians, senior officials and businessmen in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB).

The admission and recruitment scam that was unearthed in 2013 pertains to alleged irregularities in the PMT-2013 examination conducted by the MPPEB, popularly known as 'Vyapam' (Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal).&nbsp;

The CBI had filed a charge sheet against 26 people in connection to the Vyapam scam.

In a major breakthrough in the Vyapam scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) gave a clean chit to former Madhya Pradesh Minister Laxmikant Sharma and seven others on Saturday. The premier investigation agency said that Sharma and the seven others accused were given a clean chit due to lack of evidence in the case. Furthermore, the CBI had filed a charge sheet against 26 people in connection to the Vyapam scam. On December 18 last year, a CBI court in Indore had sentenced Manoj, an accused in the case, to five years in prison. The Vyapam scam is an admission and recruitment fraudulent scheme, beginning in 1995, involving politicians, senior officials and businessmen in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB). The admission and recruitment scam that was unearthed in 2013 pertains to alleged irregularities in the PMT-2013 examination conducted by the MPPEB, popularly known as 'Vyapam' (Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal).

Vyapam scam: CBI gives clean chit to former MP minister Laxmikant Sharma and seven others

The Special Court of CBI here on Thursday will pronounce the quantum of punishment to<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/haryana-cbi-court-convicts-ram-rahim-3-others-in-2002-journalist-murder-case-189605"> Gurmeet Ram Rahim</a>, convicted in the murder of journalist Ramchander Chhatrapati along with three others, through video conference.

Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim will be produced in the court through video conference from Sunaria jail in Rohtak, where he is currently serving 20-year prison term since 2017 for raping two of his women followers.

Three other accused, who were also convicted in the journalist's murder case, will be produced in the court from Ambala jail through video conference.

The CBI Special Court agreed to pronounce the punishment through video conference after Haryana government on Tuesday filed an application in this regard.

The Dera chief has been found guilty of orchestrating the killing of Chhatrapati, a Sirsa-based journalist after the scribe wrote against Ram Rahim in his newspaper titled 'Poora Sach.'&nbsp;

The scribe was shot in 2002, and the case was registered in 2003.

The Special Court of CBI here on Thursday will pronounce the quantum of punishment to Gurmeet Ram Rahim, convicted in the murder of journalist Ramchander Chhatrapati along with three others, through video conference.

The Special Court of CBI here on Thursday will pronounce the quantum of punishment to Gurmeet Ram Rahim, convicted in the murder of journalist Ramchander Chhatrapati along with three others, through video conference. Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim will be produced in the court through video conference from Sunaria jail in Rohtak, where he is currently serving 20-year prison term since 2017 for raping two of his women followers. Three other accused, who were also convicted in the journalist's murder case, will be produced in the court from Ambala jail through video conference. The CBI Special Court agreed to pronounce the punishment through video conference after Haryana government on Tuesday filed an application in this regard. The Dera chief has been found guilty of orchestrating the killing of Chhatrapati, a Sirsa-based journalist after the scribe wrote against Ram Rahim in his newspaper titled 'Poora Sach.' The scribe was shot in 2002, and the case was registered in 2003.

CBI Court to pronounce punishment to Ram Rahim in journalist's murder case today

The tenure of CBI's Special Director Rakesh Asthana, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/cbi-vs-cbi-cleaning-the-rot-within-176144">who was sent on forced leave by the government</a>, has been curtailed with immediate effect, according to an official order issued Thursday.

The tenures of three more officers -- Joint Director Arun Kumar Sharma, Deputy Inspector General Manish Kumar Sinha and Superintendent of Police Jayant J Naiknavare -- have also been curtailed, it said.

The development comes days after Alok Verma was shunted out of the post of CBI director and appointed Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards.

Verma had refused to take up the new post, saying he had already superannuated from the police service.&nbsp;

The tenure of CBI's Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who was sent on forced leave by the government, has been curtailed with immediate effect, according to an official order issued Thursday.

The tenure of CBI's Special Director Rakesh Asthana, who was sent on forced leave by the government, has been curtailed with immediate effect, according to an official order issued Thursday. The tenures of three more officers -- Joint Director Arun Kumar Sharma, Deputy Inspector General Manish Kumar Sinha and Superintendent of Police Jayant J Naiknavare -- have also been curtailed, it said. The development comes days after Alok Verma was shunted out of the post of CBI director and appointed Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards. Verma had refused to take up the new post, saying he had already superannuated from the police service.

Govt ends Rakesh Asthana's tenure in CBI with immediate effect

The CBI has registered six new cases related to alleged abuse of inmates in shelter homes in Bihar, taking the tally to nine, officials said Thursday.

The cases have been registered on the basis of details given in the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) audit report of shelter homes in Bihar, which brought to fore sordid stories of mismanagement, abuse and unlivable conditions.

In its May 2018 report, the institute expressed "grave concerns" on the management of 17 shelter homes, including 'Balika grih' in Muzzafarpur where 34 girls had reported abuse at the hands of office-bearers and outsiders.

The audit report was submitted to the state government and later became the basis of a Supreme Court order directing a CBI probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home case.

The apex court later handed over the remaining 16 cases to the agency too.

The CBI, which had on Wednesday booked two shelter homes in Bhagalpur and Gaya, registered six new cases against Novelty Welfare Society, which ran a short-stay home in Munger district; Panaah shelter home, also in same district; Gram Swaraj Sewa Sansthan which ran a short-stay home in Kaimur; Om Sai Foundation which ran sewa kutir in Muzzafarpur; and short-stay home run by Ikard and Kaushal Kutir run by Don Bosco Tech Society in Patna.

It is alleged that the Director of Novelty Welfare Society and others used to lock the room of a mentally-sick woman inmate causing wrongful restraint and confinement and ill-treated other inmates.

It also sublet a portion of the shelter home for a rent of Rs 10,000 and did not provide proper ventilation or sanitation facilities for the inmates, the FIR alleged.

In the case of 'Panaah', it is alleged that office-bearers of the home "physically exploited" the inmates forcing them to do manual work including cooking and cleaning, the FIR stated.

It said the shelter home was being run from a building meant for an observation home and was not "livable" for young children.

The CBI has booked Sudarshan Ram, Pintu Pal and Tara Devi, all office-bearers of Gram Swaraj Sewa Sansthan, which ran the short-stay home at Lalpur in Kaimur district.

It is alleged that the security guard was sexally abusive, passing lewd comments and physically assaulting women and girls inmates. He managed day-to-day affairs of the home giving him undue power and authority over residents.

The director of Om Sai Foundation has also been booked by the agency for allegedly subjecting inmates to physical assault and verbal abuse.

The short-stay home in Patna run by Ikard reported repeated violence, according to the agency FIR.

It is alleged several girl inmates who lost their way were kept there. In spite of providing addresses and phone numbers of their homes, they were not put in touch with their families.

A girl had committed suicide nearly a year ago as she could not cope with the violent atmosphere, while another girl lost her mental balance, it alleged.

It was reported that they got no clothes, medicines, toiletries with a very poor quality of food being served to the inmates.

The CBI has also booked the caretaker of Kaushal Kutir run by NGO Don Bosco Tech Society in Patna, for alleged abusive behaviour.

Male and female inmates were not allowed to speak or even look at each other, the FIR alleged. The open space was not accessible for inmates of the shelter home, it said.&nbsp;

The CBI has registered six new cases related to alleged abuse of inmates in shelter homes in Bihar, taking the tally to nine, officials said Thursday. The cases have been registered on the basis of details given in the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) audit report of shelter homes in Bihar, which brought to fore sordid stories of mismanagement, abuse and unlivable conditions.

The CBI has registered six new cases related to alleged abuse of inmates in shelter homes in Bihar, taking the tally to nine, officials said Thursday. The cases have been registered on the basis of details given in the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) audit report of shelter homes in Bihar, which brought to fore sordid stories of mismanagement, abuse and unlivable conditions. In its May 2018 report, the institute expressed "grave concerns" on the management of 17 shelter homes, including 'Balika grih' in Muzzafarpur where 34 girls had reported abuse at the hands of office-bearers and outsiders. The audit report was submitted to the state government and later became the basis of a Supreme Court order directing a CBI probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home case. The apex court later handed over the remaining 16 cases to the agency too. The CBI, which had on Wednesday booked two shelter homes in Bhagalpur and Gaya, registered six new cases against Novelty Welfare Society, which ran a short-stay home in Munger district; Panaah shelter home, also in same district; Gram Swaraj Sewa Sansthan which ran a short-stay home in Kaimur; Om Sai Foundation which ran sewa kutir in Muzzafarpur; and short-stay home run by Ikard and Kaushal Kutir run by Don Bosco Tech Society in Patna. It is alleged that the Director of Novelty Welfare Society and others used to lock the room of a mentally-sick woman inmate causing wrongful restraint and confinement and ill-treated other inmates. It also sublet a portion of the shelter home for a rent of Rs 10,000 and did not provide proper ventilation or sanitation facilities for the inmates, the FIR alleged. In the case of 'Panaah', it is alleged that office-bearers of the home "physically exploited" the inmates forcing them to do manual work including cooking and cleaning, the FIR stated. It said the shelter home was being run from a building meant for an observation home and was not "livable" for young children. The CBI has booked Sudarshan Ram, Pintu Pal and Tara Devi, all office-bearers of Gram Swaraj Sewa Sansthan, which ran the short-stay home at Lalpur in Kaimur district. It is alleged that the security guard was sexally abusive, passing lewd comments and physically assaulting women and girls inmates. He managed day-to-day affairs of the home giving him undue power and authority over residents. The director of Om Sai Foundation has also been booked by the agency for allegedly subjecting inmates to physical assault and verbal abuse. The short-stay home in Patna run by Ikard reported repeated violence, according to the agency FIR. It is alleged several girl inmates who lost their way were kept there. In spite of providing addresses and phone numbers of their homes, they were not put in touch with their families. A girl had committed suicide nearly a year ago as she could not cope with the violent atmosphere, while another girl lost her mental balance, it alleged. It was reported that they got no clothes, medicines, toiletries with a very poor quality of food being served to the inmates. The CBI has also booked the caretaker of Kaushal Kutir run by NGO Don Bosco Tech Society in Patna, for alleged abusive behaviour. Male and female inmates were not allowed to speak or even look at each other, the FIR alleged. The open space was not accessible for inmates of the shelter home, it said.

CBI registers cases against 6 more shelter homes in Bihar for abuse of inmates 

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/still-time-to-negotiate-germanys-merkel-says-after-may-loses-brexit-vote-190761">'Still time to negotiate,' Germany's Merkel says after UK PM May loses Brexit vote</a>

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that "we still have time to negotiate" after the British Parliament comprehensively rejected the Brexit deal Prime Minister Theresa May had reached with the European Union.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/hardik-pandya-has-not-left-the-house-not-taking-any-calls-father-190742">Hardik has not left the house, not taking any calls: Father</a>

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended Hardik Pandya and batsman Lokesh Rahul from all formats of cricket over sexist comments made on a TV show. Their return in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the ICC World Cup remains a big talking point.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nairobi-attack-over-after-20-hour-siege-as-jihadists-killed-14-dead-president-kenyatta-190750">Nairobi hotel attack over after 20-hour siege, 14 dead: President Kenyatta</a>

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Wednesday that Islamists who stormed an upmarket hotel complex, killing 14 people, had been "eliminated" after an almost 20-hour siege in which hundreds of civilians were rescued.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-registers-firs-against-2-shelter-homes-in-bihar-for-abuse-of-children-190771">Bihar: After Muzaffarpur, CBI files FIRs against 2 more shelter homes for abuse of children</a>

CBI on Wednesday registered two fresh FIRs in connection with the alleged abuse of children in shelter homes in Bihar, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-led-selection-panel-to-meet-on-january-24-to-decide-on-new-cbi-director-190766">Modi-led selection panel to meet on January 24 to decide on new CBI director</a>

The selection panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet on January 24 to decide on the new Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director, reported news agency ANI.

'Still time to negotiate,' Germany's Merkel says after UK PM May loses Brexit vote German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that "we still have time to negotiate" after the British Parliament comprehensively rejected the Brexit deal Prime Minister Theresa May had reached with the European Union.

'Still time to negotiate,' Germany's Merkel says after UK PM May loses Brexit vote German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that "we still have time to negotiate" after the British Parliament comprehensively rejected the Brexit deal Prime Minister Theresa May had reached with the European Union. Hardik has not left the house, not taking any calls: Father The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended Hardik Pandya and batsman Lokesh Rahul from all formats of cricket over sexist comments made on a TV show. Their return in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the ICC World Cup remains a big talking point. Nairobi hotel attack over after 20-hour siege, 14 dead: President Kenyatta Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Wednesday that Islamists who stormed an upmarket hotel complex, killing 14 people, had been "eliminated" after an almost 20-hour siege in which hundreds of civilians were rescued. Bihar: After Muzaffarpur, CBI files FIRs against 2 more shelter homes for abuse of children CBI on Wednesday registered two fresh FIRs in connection with the alleged abuse of children in shelter homes in Bihar, news agency PTI reported quoting officials. Modi-led selection panel to meet on January 24 to decide on new CBI director The selection panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet on January 24 to decide on the new Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director, reported news agency ANI.

The Delhi High Court Tuesday extended till January 24 the interim protection from arrest granted to senior <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/inx-media-case-p-chidambaram-files-anticipatory-bail-in-delhi-high-court--140930">Congress leader P Chidambaram on his pleas</a> seeking anticipatory bail in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/inx-media-case-former-finance-minister-m-p-chidambaram-appears-before-enforcement-directorate-185283">the INX Media case</a> lodged by the ED and CBI.

Justice Sunil Gaur listed the matter for hearing on January 24 after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed his inability to argue during the day.&nbsp;

Chidambaram was represented in the hearing through advocates Pramod Kumar Dubey and Arshdeep Singh.

On July 25, 2018, the high court had granted interim protection to Chidambaram from arrest and directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) not to take any coercive step against him till August 1 that year in the INX Media money laundering case.

Prior to that on May 31 last year, the court had protected him from arrest in the case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

On August 1, 2018, the court had extended the interim protection to September 28 and then to October 25 in both the cases.

On October 25, the interim relief was extended till November 29, 2018.

On November 29, 2018, the court extended the relief till January 15.&nbsp;

The court had also directed Chidambaram to cooperate with the investigation in both the cases as and when required.

The senior Congress leader's role had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore.

It was during his tenure as Union finance minister in the UPA-I government that clearances from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) were given to the two ventures.

In the INX Media case, the CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in the FIPB clearance granted to the media group for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister.

Thereafter, the ED had last year lodged the money laundering case in this regard.

A trial court here had also granted protection from arrest till August 7, 2018, to Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case in which he and his son Karti are named in the charge sheet filed by the CBI.

Chidambaram's petition had said that though no summons had ever been served on him by the ED in this case, he had an apprehension of arrest in view of the summons issued to him by the CBI, which was investigating the scheduled offence.&nbsp;

Justice Sunil Gaur listed the matter for hearing on January 24 after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed his inability to argue during the day.

The Delhi High Court Tuesday extended till January 24 the interim protection from arrest granted to senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on his pleas seeking anticipatory bail in the INX Media case lodged by the ED and CBI. Justice Sunil Gaur listed the matter for hearing on January 24 after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed his inability to argue during the day. Chidambaram was represented in the hearing through advocates Pramod Kumar Dubey and Arshdeep Singh. On July 25, 2018, the high court had granted interim protection to Chidambaram from arrest and directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) not to take any coercive step against him till August 1 that year in the INX Media money laundering case. Prior to that on May 31 last year, the court had protected him from arrest in the case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). On August 1, 2018, the court had extended the interim protection to September 28 and then to October 25 in both the cases. On October 25, the interim relief was extended till November 29, 2018. On November 29, 2018, the court extended the relief till January 15. The court had also directed Chidambaram to cooperate with the investigation in both the cases as and when required. The senior Congress leader's role had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore. It was during his tenure as Union finance minister in the UPA-I government that clearances from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) were given to the two ventures. In the INX Media case, the CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in the FIPB clearance granted to the media group for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister. Thereafter, the ED had last year lodged the money laundering case in this regard. A trial court here had also granted protection from arrest till August 7, 2018, to Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case in which he and his son Karti are named in the charge sheet filed by the CBI. Chidambaram's petition had said that though no summons had ever been served on him by the ED in this case, he had an apprehension of arrest in view of the summons issued to him by the CBI, which was investigating the scheduled offence.

INX media case: High Court extends Chidambaram's interim protection from arrest till January 24

DIG Gagandeep Gambhir, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer who was investigating former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav`s role in the illegal sand mining scam has been transferred, sources said on Tuesday.

CBI sources said that Gambhir, who was investigating the role of Akhilesh and other bureaucrats in the illegal sand mining scam, has been transferred to anti-corruption ACIII from special crime unit SCII.

Anish Prasad, who was deputy director of CBI, will now be investigating the sand mining scam, said sources.ACIII, where Gambhir has been transferred, is currently investigating Bihar`s Srijan scam and journalist Upendra Rai`s case.

On Saturday, CBI carried out searches at 12 places in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in an ongoing investigation of a case relating to alleged illegal mining of minerals in Hamirpur.

During the searches, incriminating material pertaining to illegal sand mining, including huge cash and gold were recovered.

CBI registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the then District Magistrate of Hamirpur, then Geologist/Mining Officer, the then mining clerk and eight others including leaseholders, private persons and other unknown public servants and unknown persons.

Earlier, an inquiry into the alleged illegal mining of minor minerals in district Hamirpur was conducted on the orders the Allahabad High Court.

It was alleged that public servants in criminal conspiracy with other accused allowed illegal mining of minor minerals in the district during 2012-2016.

It was further alleged that they had illegally granted fresh leases for mining of sand, renewed existing leases and permitted obstructed period to the existing leaseholders and thereby caused wrongful loss to the government exchequer and undue gain to themselves.

It was also alleged that other persons were allowed to excavate minor minerals illegally, to commit theft of the minor minerals and to extort money from the leaseholders as well as from the drivers of the vehicles transporting minor minerals.

Government officials, along with private individuals, had allegedly allocated some illegal mining sites by flouting rules and regulations between the year 2012 and 2016.

Mining rights were also given in violation of NGT orders.

Yadav held the charge of Mining Ministry between 2012 to July 2013 and hence can come under scanner in the ongoing probe.

CBI sources also confirmed that all those who held portfolios at the time of the scam will be investigated.

DIG Gagandeep Gambhir, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer who was investigating former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav`s role in the illegal sand mining scam has been transferred, sources said on Tuesday.

DIG Gagandeep Gambhir, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer who was investigating former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav`s role in the illegal sand mining scam has been transferred, sources said on Tuesday. CBI sources said that Gambhir, who was investigating the role of Akhilesh and other bureaucrats in the illegal sand mining scam, has been transferred to anti-corruption ACIII from special crime unit SCII. Anish Prasad, who was deputy director of CBI, will now be investigating the sand mining scam, said sources.ACIII, where Gambhir has been transferred, is currently investigating Bihar`s Srijan scam and journalist Upendra Rai`s case. On Saturday, CBI carried out searches at 12 places in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in an ongoing investigation of a case relating to alleged illegal mining of minerals in Hamirpur. During the searches, incriminating material pertaining to illegal sand mining, including huge cash and gold were recovered. CBI registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the then District Magistrate of Hamirpur, then Geologist/Mining Officer, the then mining clerk and eight others including leaseholders, private persons and other unknown public servants and unknown persons. Earlier, an inquiry into the alleged illegal mining of minor minerals in district Hamirpur was conducted on the orders the Allahabad High Court. It was alleged that public servants in criminal conspiracy with other accused allowed illegal mining of minor minerals in the district during 2012-2016. It was further alleged that they had illegally granted fresh leases for mining of sand, renewed existing leases and permitted obstructed period to the existing leaseholders and thereby caused wrongful loss to the government exchequer and undue gain to themselves. It was also alleged that other persons were allowed to excavate minor minerals illegally, to commit theft of the minor minerals and to extort money from the leaseholders as well as from the drivers of the vehicles transporting minor minerals. Government officials, along with private individuals, had allegedly allocated some illegal mining sites by flouting rules and regulations between the year 2012 and 2016. Mining rights were also given in violation of NGT orders. Yadav held the charge of Mining Ministry between 2012 to July 2013 and hence can come under scanner in the ongoing probe. CBI sources also confirmed that all those who held portfolios at the time of the scam will be investigated.

CBI officer probing Akhilesh's role in sand mining scam transferred

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