CVC under lens for meddling in Qureshi probe

Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) K V Chowdhary is facing allegations of interfering in a case involving controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi, which the commission is monitoring, and personally getting a feedback on the behest of his “close relative” questioned in connection with this.

In a petition filed by CBI official M K Sinha, challenging his transfer, it is claimed that a Hyderabad-based businessman Satish Sana met Chowdhary along with Gorantla Ramesh, who was examined by the CBI in Qureshi's case. Chowdhary could not be contacted for his version.

Sana, who is at the centre of a controversy related to allegations and counter-allegations by CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana, has claimed Ramesh is a "close relative of Chowdhary and owner of Delhi Public School in Hyderabad”.

Sinha claimed that Sana told him during an examination on his complaint against Asthana that Ramesh sold "some land and gave around Rs four crore" to the businessman. Of this, the petition claimed, Sana had given Rs 50 lakh to Qureshi and Ramesh was examined by the CBI in connection with this.

"As per Sana, subsequently, the CVC K V Chowdhary called Rakesh Asthana to his residence and made inquiries. Rakesh Asthana informed the CVC that there is not much evidence against them. There is no illegality in this, but the same is put on record here for the sake of completeness. No verification was undertaken and the same is based on disclosure made by Sana," Sinha said in his petition.

The CVC under the leadership of Chowdhary was recently tasked by the CBI to probe allegations against Verma that he took a bribe of Rs 2 crore from Sana. The CVC had submitted its report to the Supreme Court and the hearing is on in the case.

The CVC supervises the CBI on corruption cases and deals with appointments in the agency.