Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
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A CBI officer, who was part of a probe team investigating an FIR against former Special Director Rakesh Asthana, on Monday challenged his transfer to Andaman and Nicobar Islands immediately after M. Nageshwar Rao took over charge as CBI Director. A.K. Bassi had been earlier transferred to Port Blair in October 2018 when Alok Verma was divested of his office of CBI Director. Following the re-instatement of Mr. Verma on the basis of a Supreme Court judgment of January 8, Mr. Bassi was transferred back to the national capital in order to continue with his investigation of Mr. Asthana. However, Mr. Verma was once again removed as CBI Director, within 48 hours of his re-instatement, on the basis of a recommendation from the high-power committee. This development saw Mr. Bassi facing a second transfer order to Port Blair on January 11. The CBI officer, represented by advocate Sunil Fernandes, contended that his second transfer order was issued without authority and with malafide intentions. It was meant to ‘victimise’ him and prejudice the investigation against Mr. Asthana. Mr. Bassi said his transfer order is non-speaking and fails to disclose reasons for such an “emergent sweeping action.” “The petitioner (Bassi) apprehends that the course of investigation will be influenced in such a manner that investigators will soon be arraigned as accused persons… 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,” the petition said. It said Mr. Bassi 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.”
