CBI officer probing case against Asthana moves SC against transfer

Central Bureau of Investigation’s Deputy Superintendent of Police AK Bassi, the former probe officer in the alleged corruption case against Special Director Rakesh Asthana, moved the Supreme Court Tuesday against his transfer.

Bassi said his transfer to Andaman and Nicobar Islands on October 24 is “malafide and derails a sensitive probe” and added that allegations against Asthana are “grave”.

He further sought an urgent hearing on his plea against the transfer on November 2.

The top court said it will look into it.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court directed the Hyderabad Police to provide adequate security to businessman Satish Sana, complainant in the alleged bribery case against CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana.

A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices U U Lalit and K M Joseph refused to stay CBI summons against Sana and also rejected his plea for recording of his statement in presence of retired former SC judge A K Patnaik.

Sana, on whose complaint an FIR was registered against the CBI Special Director, had moved the apex court on Monday seeking police protection and a stay on the notice issued by the agency summoning him for interrogation.