The Central Bureau of Investigation gave a clean chit on 11th of February, 2020 whilst dropping the names of Rakesh Asthana and Devendra Kumar in a case that was connected with bribery and extortion charges. The chargesheet had been filed before a special CBI Judge - Sanjeev Aggarwal. Further to which the Delhi High Court on 12th of February, 2020 expressed displeasure over the CBI's investigation into the bribery case that had involved the former Special Director Rakesh Asthana. The CBI judge further contended that why was it the accused who had bigger role in the case allowed to roam free while the very Deputy Superintendent of Police - Kumar of CBI got arrested.
The court said it will take up the chargesheet on February 19, 2020.
Rakesh Asthana and Devendra Kumar along with a middleman - Manoj Prasad had been under the CBI investigation for allegedly having accepted a bribe of Rs. 2 crore in exchange for clearing Hyderabad based businessman Sathish Babu Sana who was being investigated in the corruption case of 2017 involving meat exporter Moin Quershi. The chargesheet named Prasad as an accused and said that the investigation was still under the way. Asthana has been accused of extortion and further accused the former CBI director Alok Verma for false implications and brought corruption charges against him. The centre had sent both Asthana and Verma on a leave in October 2018.
In January 2020, the High court questioned the CBI and set a four week deadline for the chargesheet. The high court had already give two extensions in 2019 - May and October. And further put forth that no more time will be provided after this.
Author - Dyuti Pandya
