The CBI action comes after the second in command in the CBI, wrote to Cabinet Secretary alleging that the businessman had paid CBI Director Alok Verma Rs 2 crore to get relief in the case.
The agency opposed Asthana's plea seeking quashing of the FIR and said a roving inquiry at this stage was not permissible.
During the hearing, CBI said charges against Asthana are serious and the agency was investigating the matter and is likely to add more offences in the FIR.
After taking over on Tuesday night, Rao overhauled the team probing allegations of corruption against Asthana, bringing in completely new faces, officials said.