CBI vs CBI LIVE Updates: CVC KV Chaudhary says he is under 'oath of secrecy' and can't speak to anyone

CBI working normally, says agency spokesperson

Team probing Rakesh Asthana’s case has been reconstituted for a fair, impartial and expeditious probe, the agency spokesperson told ANI. We have put the best available resources in the reconstituted team. 

Whatever investigation required is being done, says CBI spokesperson

Here is the full CVC order on the removal of Alok Kumar:

Read the full text of Alok Verma's petition in the Supreme Court here:

Petition filed in Bombay HC to set up a SIT for investigating the CBI vs CBI case

Alok Verma, Rakesh Asthana divested due to 'an extraordinary and unprecedented situation', says Centre

CBI director was served three notices but he refused to cooperate, says CVC

The CBI Director was served three notices but he did not reply to any of those and was non-cooperative. Thus, "extraordinary circumstances have led to the CVC action", CNN News18 reported.

M Nageshwar Rao first IG level officer ever to head CBI 

According to a report in The Wire, M Nageshwar Rao, the interim chief of CBI is the first IG rank official to have taken over the reins of the premium investigating agency. The report says that Alok Verma wanted to initiate enquiry against Rao too, but his attempts were resisted by CVC KV Chowdary.  

CBI reshuffles team probing case against Asthana

The Centre, which on Wednesday virtually sacked CBI Director Alok Verma by asking him to go on leave, also transferred as many as 13 officers of the agency, shunting out almost all those in Vermas team which was probing bribery charges against CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana.

According to sources, 13 CBI officers, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Bassi, who was investigating the charges against Asthana were transferred. Bassi has been transferred to Port Blair with immediate effect in "public interest".

CVC's letter to AAP MP Sanjay Singh indicates a probe in Rafale controversy was in the offing 

AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh had written to the CVC alleging irregularities in the Rafale deal, and had requested for a probe. Firstpost obtained the CVC's response to the MP. In his letter, the CVC said that he has taken note of the issue raised and the same would be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence. 

Has Alok Verma been sacked for his keenness to probe Rafale scam, asks Congress

The Congress Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of interfering in the working of the CBI and wondered if its Director Alok Verma was "sacked" for his keenness to probe the "layers of corruption" in the Rafale scam. 

CBI BJP's personal policing agency, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that the CBI has become the BJP's policing agency. The Trinamool Congress chief's remarks come amid the ongoing spat between two top officers of the agency.  "CBI has now become so called BBI (BJP Bureau of Investigation) - very unfortunate!" Banerjee tweeted.  The government has divested CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana of all powers amid the ongoing spat between them, sources said, calling it the first such case in the history of the agency. The prime minister-led Appointments Committee Tuesday night gave  charge of the director to Joint Director M Nageshwara Rao with immediate effect, a government order said.

CVC usurped power to appoint a new CBI director, says Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi 

Abhishek Manu Singhvi charged the government of trying to misuse the office of the CVC to appoint the interim director. He said that the CVC had no authority to appoint a new CBI director in the interim without the approval of selection committee. 

The selection committee, by law should constitute of, the prime minister, Leader of Opposition or the leader of single largest party, and the Chief Justice of India (or any other SC judge nominated by him). 

BJP sacked Alok Verma to escape Rafale phobia: Congress

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that by forcing Alok Verma to go on leave, the BJP is trying to escape its Rafale Phobia and is trying to keep its secret sealed. 

Systematic dismantling of CBI is complete: Randeep Surjewala

V Murgesan to handle investigation into FIR against Rakesh Asthana

CBI SP Satish Dagar, who has been transferred to Anti Corruption unit III, DIG Tarun Gauba now heading the ACIII unit and Joint Director V Murugesan, now holding additional charge of Anti Corruption unit will handle the investigation into FIR filed against Special Director Rakesh Asthana.

Govt can't investigate allegations against top 2 CBI officers: Arun Jaitley

Maintaining institutional integrity of CBI absolutely essential for fair investigation: Arun Jaitley

For the integrity of investigation agencies, officers involved must come out: Arun Jaitley

"The integrity of India's investigation agencies has to be maintained. And therefore, the officers under the cloud have to be come out, purely as an interim matter," said Arun Jaitley.

'CVC has the power of superintendence,' says Arun Jaitley

"This is an extraordinary and as per the power invested in the CVC, it has the power to investigate and maintain the fairness of the investigation," Arun Jaitley said. He said that since both the officials have been accused of corruption they can not investigate the allegations. "So, to maintain the sanctity of the CBI, the two officers will go on leave. And an SIT not presided by the two officers will investigate the allegations made by both of them," he said.

"According to the CBI act, the CVC has the power of superintendence in cases related to corruption. Now who will do the investigation, who will do it. and how it will be done is done as per CrPC. But whether in  an investigation is done properly, the CVC can watch over it under its superintendence," says Arun Jaitley.

'Modi govt has conducted political coup against CBI,' says Sitaram Yechury

Reacting to the transfer of CBI officers after M Nageshwar Rao took over the investigation agency, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury accused the government of conducting a political coup to take over the Central Bureau of Investigation.

"The (Narendra) Modi govt and the prime minister have conducted a political coup against the CBI. They have conducted transfer of all the officers and directors, and the main objective appears to be to protect the chosen officers of the prime minister posted at CBI," he told ANI.

He added: "We don't know if CBI was investigating other issues like Rafale scam. If that was the case, it was ordered to protect the govt, the prime minister and concerned officers. Why was the DIG investigating the charges against Asthana has been sent to 'Kala Pani' in Andaman?" Yechury said.

13 CBI officials including three investigating Rakesh Asthana bribery case transferred

Massive shakeup in CBI after M Nageshwar Rao takes over of the bureau. Rao has ordered trasnfer of 13 CBI officers including three who were investigation the Rakesh Asthana bribery case. Investigating offier Ajay Bassi, Joint Director Arun Sharma and DIG Manish Sinha are among those who have been transferred.

'Totally illegal. Will be challenged,' Prashant Bhushan on sidelining CBI director Alok Verma

Sidelined CBI director Alok Verma's decision to entertain complaint on Rafale deal led to his removal, claims Prashant Bhushan

DSP Ajay Bassi to take charge of CBI's ACB in Port Blair

Ajay Bassi, who was investigatign Asthana bribery case, transferred to Port Blair

Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajay Bassi, who was investigating the Rakesh Asthana bribery case has been transferred to Port Blair, reports said. An FIR was filed against Asthana on 15 October alleging that kickbacks were received by a middleman on behalf of Asthana to scuttle a probe in the meat exporter Moin Qureshi case. Though Asthana was granted interim relief from arrest in the 15 October FIR by the Delhi High Court, the court said investigation in the bribery case will continue. Bassi was investigating the case.

RECAP: Alok Verma divested of powers; M Nageshwar Rao to take over

In a dramatic midnight action, the government on Wednesday divested CBI chief Alok Verma of his charge and Joint Director M Nageshwar Rao was asked to take over. Verma The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) took the decision past midnight as war between Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana escalated over bribery allegations hurled at each other. Verma has moved the SC against th ACC order, which has agreed to hear it on Friday.