COURT DIRECTS CBI TO MAINTAIN STATUS QUO IN ASTHANA PROBE

NEWDELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday extended CBI special director Rakesh Asthana’s interim protection from arrest till November 1 after the agency sought more time to file its reply on a plea by the officer to quash an FIR against him.

Justice Najmi Waziri said the status quo be maintained vis-avis Asthana, who has been sent on leave along with agency director Alok Verma. The court also sought a response from the investigating agency by October 31 on a fresh plea by Dubai-based businessman Manoj Prasad. DSP Devender Kumar and Prasad took the same plea as Asthana to get the FIR against them quashed.

Appearing for the CBI, its special public prosecutor K Raghavacharyalu informed the court that the reply could not be filed and sought more time.

“You took three days’ time the other day. This court was taking up the matter the next date itself, but you took time. What do you mean by a little more time, please explain,” the judge said.

Replying to this query, the special public prosecutor said the agency did not have the case files as they had been given to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) as ordered by the Supreme Court. He said the investigating officer had been changed, which was another reason behind the delay.

“Does the Supreme Court order say no further investigation,” the judge asked and sought to know the name of the officer investigating the case.

While granting more time to the CBI, Justice Waziri said, “Has the CBI come to a standstill? It’s your FIR. Tell us how much time you want to file a reply?”

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Kumar, contended that the custody of his client was illegal.