The CBIs image has taken a hit with the top brass washing their dirty linen in public
IN AN ELECTION YEAR, when the Central Bureau of Investigation raids a leader of an opposition party, the government is accused of using the agency to arm-twist political adversaries. When facing the heat of corruption charges, all parties, at some point, have questioned the independence of the CBI.
Coal-gate and 2G scams came as warning signals; the Supreme Court had asked the CBI to probe ex-director Ranjit Sinha’s role in the 2G spectrum scam inquiry. For the first time, the agency was probing its own director. The second instance came in 2017, when the CBI registered an FIR against former CBI director A.P. Singh and controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi, on corruption charges. The rot had been setting in for a long time, and the warning signals had been ignored for far longer. Today, the agency is in the ICU.
On September 24, Central Vigilance Commissioner K.V. Chowdary had an hourlong meeting with an official of the policy wing of the CBI. The CVC, which has supervisory powers over CBI, had stepped in to examine the allegations and counter allegations within the CBI top brass. Incumbent CBI director Alok Verma’s number two, special director Rakesh Asthana, has accused him of “interference” in an Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) corruption case involving Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad.
Asthana, a Gujarat cadre IPS officer, alleged Verma tried to stall the raid against Lalu last year. This August, Asthana made it formal by filing a complaint with Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Sinha who sent the complaint to the CVC.
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Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
