New CBI Interim Director gets radioactive after unexpected promotion

No one expected that Rakesh Asthana a junior-level IPS officer of Gujarat would get the opportunity to become the head of the CBI. But anything can happen in India, and the Central Bureau of Investigation is only used as a tool to persecute the ‘enemies’ of the ruling government. This trend was started by the Congress and is continued more efficiently by the BJP.

But now that he has taken charge( on December 2^nd) , he has wasted no time in carrying ‘surgical strikes’ against the opposition, striking them where they are weakest.

Ex- Air Chief Marshal Tyagi arrested

Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi (retd.) was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday, along with his cousin Sanjeev Tyagi and lawyer Gautam Khaitan, for alleged involvement in the Rs. 3,700-crore Agusta Westland VVIP helicopter deal case.

A CBI spokesperson said, “Mr. Tyagi and the other two accused were summoned on Friday. They were arrested after about four hours of questioning at the agency headquarters. Mr. Tyagi allegedly entered into a conspiracy with other accused persons in 2005 and conceded to change the Air Force’s consistent stand that the 6,000-metre service ceiling of VVIP helicopters was an inescapable operational necessity. It was instead reduced to 4,500 metres. This helped AgustaWestland to meet the eligibility criteria for the contract. The kickbacks were received through middlemen and relatives.”

This will successfully put the Congress party in a corner. The timing could not have been more perfect as Congress was gaining ground after the total failure of the demonetization exercise. Rahul Gandhi was getting too shrill, calling it a big scam and saying that there will be an earthquake if he speaks in Parliament. This will silence him.

Former DMK Minister Dayanidhi Maran charge-sheeted

The CBI on Friday also charge-sheeted former Union Minister of Communication & Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and others in a case relating to the alleged setting up of an illegal phone exchange at the former’s residence. This case has been in cold storage for more than 4 years and should have been pursued soon after the BJP came to power.

Again the timing is perfect. In the aftermath of the demise of AIADMK Supremo and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the DMK can get stronger . So hit them where they are weakest, seems to be the ruling principle and CBI has become a more than willing instrument under Rakesh Asthana.

It will be interesting to see what the Supreme court has to say about the highly irregular procedure followed to elevate him as CBI Chief.

-UDAAN