In a major reshuffle on Monday, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Interim Director M Nageswara Rao transferred 20 officers. Those transferred include – SP Vivek Priyadarshi and SK Nair, the investigation officers of the 2G Spectrum scam and Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) case involving fugitive economic offenders Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi respectively. Key Accused in PNB Scam Mehul Choksi gives up Indian Citizenship, surrenders passport in Antigua
Interim Director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) M Nageswara Rao yesterday transferred 20 officers. The list also includes SP Vivek Priyadarshi, who was handling ACB Delhi unit probing the 2G spectrum scam.
— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2019
SP Vivek Priyadarshi was transferred from Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) in Delhi to Chandigarh, while SK Nair was transferred to ACB Mumbai.
However, the transfer order specifically states that the investigating officers specially directed to supervise, investigate or inquire into any case or matter by any constitutional court, shall continue to do, reported news agency PTI.
The Order further revealed that ‘SK Nair has been replaced by A Saravanan, a Superintendent of Police from Chennai, who was probing the anti-Sterlite protests firing case in Tamil Nadu in which 13 people were killed. He will continue to investigate anti-Sterlite protests case’ Supreme Court refuses to stay NGT order of reopening Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin
Apart from Priyadarshi and Nair, Prem Gautam has been relieved from the position. He is replaced by Ram Gopal, who has been transferred from the Special Crime branch in Chandigarh. Gautam will continue to probe economic offences and will also handle the additional charge of the Deputy Director (Personnel).
Gautam was posted in Special Unit of the CBI which does internal snooping on officers as a vigilance measure.
In another Development, CBI officer AK Bassi on Monday moved the Supreme Court against his transfer to Port Blair, contending that he had been targeted for conducting a “fair” probe against former CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana and others.
AK Bassi, in his petition, said his transfer would prejudice the probe in the alleged corruption case against ousted CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana.
Alok Verma, who resumed his post on January 9 after being reinstated by the Supreme Court, had immediately annulled Bassi’s transfer and others. In the first move, Reinstated CBI Chief Alok Verma withdraws transfer orders issued by successor Rao
However, later after Verma was sacked by the high powered panel on Jan 10, and his successor as Interim Chief Nageshwar Rao again reversed all transfer orders. Interim CBI chief Nageshwar Rao reverses transfer orders issued by Alok Verma