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Thursday dawned with reports that four employees of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had been caught spying on CBI director Alok Verma’s Janpath residence, lending fresh intrigue to the ongoing CBI saga.
However, the Intelligence Bureau soon denied the charge, saying the men were on a routine vigil in the VIP area, and newspapers had a field day with the bizarre episode.
“‘Routine’ vigil outside Verma’s house blows up in IB’s face”, reads the lead front-page headline in The Times of India, with a photo no daily misses carrying: That of one of the Intelligence Bureau men being dragged away from Alok Verma’s house by security personnel.
“Caught by the collar (but not the one Rahul Gandhi wants to catch)”, reads The Telegraph.
“The IB is entrusted with the responsibility of collecting intelligence on situations that may affect public order and internal security,” The Indian Express reported the IB as saying, “Among other things, its units are routinely deployed in sensitive areas.”
The incident came one day before Alok Verma’s plea against his “removal” as CBI director comes up before the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, The Times of India reports a CBI spokesperson as saying that Verma’s removal is an interim decision that will only hold till the Central Vigilance Commission concludes its probe into the bribery allegations against him and CBI special director Rakesh Asthana.
Verma and Asthana “will continue to draw their salaries and perks” until the investigation is over, the spokesperson added.
The agency also “refuted reports that Verma was holding files related to crucial cases including the Rafale deal in his office when he was divested of his powers”.
The CBI scandal has provided another ground for a faceoff between the Centre and the opposition, especially with some reports drawing a link between Verma’s ouster and a purported investigation into the Rafale deal.
Different headlines on the same page of the Express read: “Rahul steps up attack: PM knew he would be finished if CBI begins probe into Rafale deal”; “Congress misleading nation on Rafale deal: Sitharaman”; and “BJP hits back at Rahul: He is hallucinating”.
Meanwhile, former finance minister P. Chidambaram was charged by the Enforcement Directorate in the Aircel-Maxis case. “Chidambaram charged with money laundering in Aircel-Maxis case”, says Hindustan Times.
“Mr Chidambaram and his son Karti have denied all the allegations made by the agency,” reports The Hindu, adding that they will contest the charge in court if asked to make an appearance.
Prime Time
Are our national agencies in a mess?
India Today anchor Preeti Choudhry discussed whether Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police are also involved in the spat between CBI chief Alok Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana.
Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi on 25th October, termed the CBI chief’s benching as “panic reaction” to cover up Rafale deal. BJP spokesperson Narendra Taneja tried to avoid the question and said, “Rahul Gandhi says the CBI raid was related with Rafale deal, who told him this? It is completely false, Gandhi should apologise to the nation.”
Congress Spokesperson Shama Mohamed said that the country is facing an undeclared emergency, “This is such an undeclared emergency in our country, we have never heard of such a constitutional coup happening at midnight.”
Are there spies put behind CBI chief’s house by the government?
Aaj Tak anchor Anjana Om Kashyap discussed whether the government was snooping around Alok Verma’s house.
Four Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel were caught by the security staff of CBI Director Alok Verma on 25th October outside his residence in the national capital who were later released by the Delhi Police.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Rahul Gandhi will talk only about Rafale deal even when there is a problem in CBI while Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera commented that BJP has made the entire country a joke.
Patra said, “Rahul Gandhi will speak on Rafale deal no matter whatever question you ask him, this is the only one thing he has learnt by heart.”
Khera commented, ” It is a serious issue as the government is now using Intelligence Bureau to snoop into Alok Verma’s house, they have made this country a joke.”
News it’s just kinda cool to know
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