Congress to stage protests outside all CBI offices demanding reinstatement of exiled chief Alok Verma

Congress is all set to stage the massive protest outside CBI offices across the country on Friday, demanding the reinstatement of exiled CBI director Alok Verma. In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi said that he will lead the party’s protests outside the CBI headquarters in CGO complex in the national capital.

During the protest, Congress will also seek an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for tarnishing the image of the premier investigating agency.

“Tomorrow, outside CBI offices nationwide, the Congress party will protest the PM’s disgraceful attempt to prevent an investigation into the Rafale scam, by removing the CBI Chief. I will lead the protests outside CBI HQ in Delhi, at 11 AM,” he tweeted.

Tomorrow, outside CBI offices nationwide, the Congress party will protest the PM’s disgraceful attempt to prevent an investigation into the Rafale scam, by removing the CBI Chief.

I will lead the protests outside CBI HQ in Delhi, at 11 AM. #CBIRafaleGate

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 25, 2018

In a letter to all Congress general secretaries, state unit chiefs and legislature party leaders, party’s General Secretary Ashok Gehlot has asked them to hold demonstrations against the BJP government,outside all CBI offices across the country.

Gehlot in his letter said, “An illegal, unconstitutional and illegitimate removal of the CBI director by the Modi-Shah duo has shamed India and its premier investigative agency.”

“The prime minister is experiencing ‘Rafale-o-Phobia’ and “this terror of Rafale scam has led to the demolition of the CBI,” he alleged. “Taking strong objections to this step by the government, Congress workers will demonstrate outside CBI offices and highlight the systemic denigration of institutions like RBI, ED, CVC, EC, UPSC one after another by this BJP government,” he said.

“Our demand should be to reinstate the CBI Director. As per the law, he could be transferred only with the consent of the appointing authority. The prime minister should tender an apology to the nation for destroying the image of the premier investigating agency,” Gehlot concluded.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress has announced to join the protest led by Congress at CBI headquarters against the removal of CBI Director Alok Verma.

Notably, it is alleged that Asthana took Rs 3 crore bribe from Satish Rana, who has in the past been on CBI radar after being associated with a meat exporter, Moin Qureshi. The CBI on October 15, booked Asthana in a bribery case.

Following the revelations, CBI director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana were sent on leave on Wednesday.

Importantly, CBI director Alok Verma dragged the government to Supreme Court. He filed a petition challenging government’s decision of removing him from his power and sending him on compulsory leave. The petition will be heard by the Supreme Court today.

Also Read: CBI vs CBI: Supreme Court to hear Alok Verma’s plea against govt order