Rakesh Asthana Obstructed Crucial Cases, Ousted CBI Director Alok Verma Tells Supreme Court
New Delhi: In his petition filed today in the Supreme Court against the Narendra Modi government’s decision to send him on leave, Alok Verma charged CBI special director Rakesh Asthana with fabricating evidence to “impugn his reputation” – soon after which an FIR was registered against the latter – and obstructed decisions which were crucial to investigation of certain cases.
Asthana had on Tuesday moved the Delhi high court against the lodging of an FIR against him in a bribery case, and soon after, the Central government acted to remove director Verma from his post and send Asthana on a leave.
Verma’s petition states that he is a senior member of the IPS, has had an unblemished record and an experience of over 35 years – on the basis of which he was appointed director of CBI in January 2017 for “a statutory two-year term”.
He further says that recently, while all the functionaries of the CBI have agreed on a certain course of action, Asthana has held a different view and posed hurdles. He alone obstructed decisions that were crucial to some investigations, the petition claims.
Verma said the “details of the cases that have led to the present circumstances are extremely sensitive and cannot with full responsibility be divulged in the present pleadings.” But he said he would be willing to furnish them to the court.
courtesy : thewire.in
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Bengaluru: Four South African cheetahs arrive at Bannerghatta Biological Park
Bengaluru: Four cheetahs, including two females, have arrived at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) from South Africa, NDTV reported.
The animals, brought from Induna Primate and Parrot Park in South Africa, landed at Kempegowda International Airport at around 1:15 am on Saturday. The transfer was carried out in accordance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, BBP said in a statement.
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre received the cheetahs at the airport cargo terminal.
The Minister asked officials and veterinary teams to ensure strict quarantine protocols, a prescribed diet, and close health monitoring for 30 days to help the animals acclimate smoothly.
Highlighting that cheetahs, locally known as “Sivangi,” have disappeared from Karnataka’s forests, the minister stressed the need to raise public awareness through zoological institutions. He also instructed Dr Sunil Panwar, Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), to prioritise the safety and well-being of the animals.
The BBP officials said that before transportation, the cheetahs underwent thorough health inspections and quarantine in South Africa as per the guidelines of the Department of Animal Husbandry.
Required No Objection Certificates (NoC) were also obtained from Animal Quarantine Services prior to import.
"Upon arrival at BBP, the animals have been placed in a designated quarantine facility for post-import health checks and observation, after which they will be shifted to their enclosures for public viewing," the BBP said.
This import underscores BBP's commitment to international collaboration in wildlife conservation, scientific management of animals, and strict adherence to regulatory protocols. It further strengthens the park's role in ex-situ conservation and environmental education, official said.
