CBI works within its domain, no political interference: Government

NEW DELHI: The Government on Friday rejected former CBI director U S Mishra's allegation that he faced political pressure when he was investigating the disproportionate assets case against former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP chief Mayawati.

"As far as CBI is concerned, it is an independent organisation that has been working within its domain and (there is) no political interference from our government," Minister of State for PMO V Narayanasamy said.

Law Minister Ashwani Kumar also ruled out any pressure on CBI director from the government.

"There is no such pressure," he told reporters outside Parliament House.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla alleged that Mishra was working as the CBI director under NDA rule, so BJP should respond to his allegations.

Shukla also said the former bureaucrat was "unnecessarily creating controversy and it is not good."

"It should be found out that this particular officer was under whose regime. If I remember correctly, he was under Vajpayee regime. He was a CBI director. I think BJP should respond to this allegation," he said.

BJP, however, reiterated its charges that CBI was being "misused" by the Government and the fresh allegations only buttresses such views.

"We have been saying right from day one that CBI is being misused from time to time to harass political opponents to win over allies, and keep them under control. CBI has been converted into Congress Bureau of Investigation," senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu told reporters outside Parliament House.

"Our views have been further confirmed by the views of former CBI director," he said.

Responding to Congress' allegation that Mishra was a director during the NDA regime, Naidu said similar views was expressed by another former CBI director Joginder Singh.

Mishra had told a news channel yesterday that "when we investigate cases against prominent political leaders, there are some influences to keep the progress report pending or present in a certain way".