The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the petition filed by CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana and others seeking the quashing of an FIR against them on bribery charges.
Asthana is CBI's number 2 will be investigated, the Delhi High Court said. Justice Najmi Waziri had reserved the judgement on December 20, 2018 on various petitions after hearing submissions of the counsel for CBI, the Centre, Asthana, Deputy Superintendent Devender Kumar, Alok Verma and Joint Director A.K. Sharma.
Asthana was booked on charges of criminal conspiracy, corruption and criminal misconduct under sections of Prevention of Corruption Act.
Sathish Babu Sana, the Hyderabad-based businessman, on whose complaint the FIR was lodged said he had paid bribe to get relief in a case. Sana also accused Asthana of extortion, high-handedness and malpractices.
Sana had also filed a similar plea seeking to be heard in the case. However, he did not press for his plea and had said that he would cooperate with the CBI whenever called for the investigation.
The High Court directed the CBI to complete investigation in case against Asthana and others within 10 weeks.
The High Court further said that the allegation of "mala fide" raised against then CBI Director Alok Verma is not made out.
It also vacated its interim order granting protection to Asthana against criminal proceedings.
Justice Waziri said that permission for prior sanction to prosecute Asthana and Kumar was not required considering the facts of the case.
