CBI vs CBI: CBI moves Delhi HC seeking further time to complete probe against Rakesh Asthana

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today sought further extension of the time period granted to it to conclude the probe into the bribery case against its former Special Director Rakesh Asthana and DSP Devendra Kumar..The matter came up for hearing before a Single Judge Bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru. .CBI, however, sought an adjournment in the matter on the ground that the concerned Additional Solicitor General was not available..The Court at the outset observed that in its order passed on October 9, it had clarified that no further extension would be granted to CBI for completion of investigation..In response, the counsel for CBI stated that the investigation was at the stage of “scrutiny” and four more stages of investigation were left..The plea for extension was opposed by counsel for Asthana, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan on the ground that the endless extensions in the case were prejudicing Asthana..After briefly hearing the counsel, the Court listed the matter for hearing on January 6..Rakesh Asthana and Devendra Kumar, along with middleman Manoj Prasad, are facing a CBI probe for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 2 crore in exchange for giving a clean chit to Satish Sana in the Moin Qureshi case..On January 11 this year, the High Court had refused to quash the FIR lodged against Asthana, Devender Kumar and Manoj Prasad with respect to the investigation. On that date, a Single Judge Bench of Justice Najmi Waziri had directed the CBI to conclude the investigation against Asthana and others in ten weeks..On May 31, this deadline was extended by another four months by Justice Mukta Gupta..The second extension was granted on October 9..Bar & Bench is available on WhatsApp. For real-time updates on stories, Click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.