Ex-CBI chief denied chance to defend: Sena

Mumbai: In a continuation of its outburst against the Narendra Modi-led BJP government, the Shiv Sena has alleged that ex-CBI chief Alok Verma was not given a chance to defend himself. If the Prime Minister could use every platform to defend the Rafale deal, why was Mr Verma not allowed to shield himself, the Sena questioned.

Mr Verma resigned a day after he was transferred from the position of CBI chief to director general — fire service, civil defence and home guards under the home ministry — by a committee headed by the PM. He was reinstated as CBI director by the Supreme Court only on January 8.

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena said that the government had set ‘wrong precedents’ by denying Mr Verma an opportunity to defend himself. “If the PM can use every platform to defend himself amid allegations over the Rafale deal, then why such an opportunity was not given to the ousted CBI chief?” asked the Sena.

“Did the fear in the minds of some (people) that many secrets would tumble out of the CBI’s closet in case of Mr Verma heading the age-ncy even for a day lead to his immediate ouster? What about the allegations that he was shunted out because he may have made the government an accused in the Rafale deal and wou-ld have registered an off-ence?” the party asked.