Modi’s ouster of CBI chief rejected by court

Bloomberg

India’s Supreme Court overturned the federal government’s decision to oust the chief of the country’s top investigative agency in a blow to PM Narendra Modi just months before he seeks re-election.
The government in October removed Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana after their rift — involving corruption allegations against each other — became public.
This prompted Verma to challenge the order in the top court. The government said it took the decision as the two top officials of CBI were fighting like “Kilkenny cats”, exposing the investigative agency to “public ridicule”.
The development is seen as a setback for Modi, who shot to power in 2014 promising a corruption free government, as he pitches for a second term in general elections due by May.
The opposition has alleged the government removed Verma because it feared a probe into a controversial $8.7 billion deal to buy Rafale aircraft from France.
“It’s a setback to the government, which is seen as misusing institutions — including the CBI — for its favour,” said Bhopal-based author and political analyst Girija Shankar.