Hyd businessman who complained against Asthana moves top court

NEW DELHI: The Hyderabad businessman, whose complaint had prompted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a case against its special director Rakesh Asthana, moved the apex court on Monday asking for police protection. Sathish Sana, the businessman, also sought a stay on the CBI’S notice summoning him for interrogation.

The CBI had booked Asthana on October 15 on the basis of Sana’s complaint. Sana is facing a probe in a 2017 case of tax evasion and money laundering involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi. He had claimed Asthana had helped him in his exoneration. In his plea before the SC, Sana feared for his life. His lawyer mentioned the petition before a Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi-led bench, which agreed to hear it on Tuesday.

The case against Asthana escalated his feud with CBI director Alok Verma. The two traded corruption charges, which forced the government to intervene and divest them of their responsibilities.

Both Verma and Asthana have moved the top court challenging the government order. The court has heard Verma’s plea and given an interim order seeking a probe against him within two weeks. Asthana’s petition is yet to be heard.

Sana referred to the top court’s October 26 order on Verma’s petition. He pleaded his statement be recorded before Justice AK Patnaik, who has been asked to monitor the probe against Verma.

Sana has also written to Justice Patnaik, stating his willingness to give statements under his supervision.