Delhi high...

The CBI booked Asthana on October 15 on the basis of a complaint by businessman Sana Satish Babu. Babu had been facing a probe in a 2017 case of tax evasion and money laundering involving controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi.

Babu alleged that Dubai-based brothers Manoj Prasad and Somesh Prasad claimed that they were acting on behalf of the CBI special director and allegedly struck a deal for ₹5 crore to protect him (Babu) in a case that the agency registered against Qureshi in 2016.

“The complainant, Sana, has alleged coercion, threat and extortion of money, albeit for an offence under Section 7 of the PC Act as well, but such acts by a public servant cannot be said to be in the discharge of his official function or duties. Therefore, in the present case, the approval (of prosecution) under Section 17A of the Act would not be necessary,” the court added.

The ruling was delivered in the process of disposing of pleas filed by Asthana, deputy superintendent of police Devender Kumar and alleged middleman Manoj Prasad to quash the bribery and extortion FIR against them.

The court stated that Babu’s complaint does not mention any direct interaction with the accused CBI officials which needs to be ascertained. The court said the role of the CBI officers needs a further probe.

While dismissing the pleas, the court said that law treats all equally. “The law does not entertain personalities. It treats all equally. India is a country governed by the Rule of Law..,” the judge said.