JOIN USSC orders protection to complainant against Asthana
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed for providing security and protection to a Hyderabad-based businessman, Sana Satish, who apprehended threat to life after having lodged a bribery complaint against CBI special director Rakesh Asthana.
A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices U U Lalit and K M Joseph, however, declined to consider his other plea that his statement must be recorded under the supervision of former SC judge, Justice A K Patnaik, who was appointed to oversee the probe against CBI director Alok Verma.
Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, representing Satish, contended that the CBI notice, issued to him October 26 to record statement, must be stayed or his statement be recorded under the supervision of Justice Patnaik.
"Why should we indicate it to him (Justice Patnaik)? He would do whatever is required to be done," the bench said.
The lawyer said both the issues -- probe against Verma and notice issued to Satish-- were "inextricably intertwined".
The court, however, remained unimpressed and allowed plea by Satish to provide him security.
"Here is a citizen, who says he is a whistleblower and apprehends threat to life. Having considered the matter, all concerned authorities must provide him with all necessary protection and security to safeguard his life," the bench said.
Satish had filed a complaint on October 15 against Asthana, making bribery charges, which culminated in a bitter feud between CBI director Alok Verma and the special director. Both the top officers were sent on leave on October 23 and divested of their charges at the premier investigating agency.