Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the removal of CBI director Alok Verma by the Modi government is “illegal” and “criminal”.
Rahul said that Verma was sacked because he was about to begin a probe into the Rafale jet deal. “The government panicked over the possibility of him investigating the Rafale deal,” he said.
“Had the CBI investigation started, PM Modi would have been finished,” he added.
The Congress chief said that the director of the investigative agency can only be appointed or removed by a consensus between the Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition.
“This (Verma’s removal) is an insult to the Constitution of India, the leader of opposition, and the people of India. It is also illegal and criminal,” Rahul Gandhi said while addressing the media in the national capital.
The Congress president also questioned the timing of the “removal” of Verma.
“The question which should be asked is why the decision was taken at 2 in the morning?” he said.
Rahul further claimed that attempts are being made to suppress evidence.
“The CBI director was not only removed, but his room was also sealed. The incriminating documents that were with him were taken away and that is why the work was done at 2am. There was an effort to bury the evidence,” Rahul claimed.