He Rose to Power Too Soon: IPS officers on Rakesh Asthana

Why Rakesh Asthana’s tenure in Gujarat is important in the current CBI probe.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reportedly booked its own Special Director Rakesh Asthana for accepting bribes in the Moin Qureshi money laundering case.

(Photo: Aroop Mishra/The Quint)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is embroiled in a case of infighting, the likes of which have never been witnessed in Indian bureaucracy. At the helm of the controversy are top two officials of the CBI – Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana, both of whom have been sent on leave by the Centre.

Incidentally, Rakesh Asthana hails from the Gujarat Cadre of the IPS and is said to have close connections with the head honchos of the saffron party. This allegation has been supported by former IPS officers of the Gujarat Cadre who worked with Asthana in Gujarat.

As the plot thickens, The Quint spoke to the two former IPS officers to understand why Asthana’s meteoric rise in the Gujarat Police Department needs to be observed closely.

Asthana: A Promising Recruit

At 71, former Gujarat Cadre, IPS Officer, RB Sreekumar vividly remembers the initial days of recruit Rakesh Asthana at the former’s office.

“During 1985-86, Asthana was appointed as my Supernumerary Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). A supernumerary ASP is meant to learn police work on different posts and assignments. And Asthana did really well.”

RB Sreekumar with his book ‘Gujarat: Behind The Curtain’(Photo: Rahul Nair/The Quint)

“I found him to be very conscientious, a man of high integrity, commitment and diligence. He was a helpful chap who took down my notes and helped me write my reports; he had a very nice handwriting. I graphically remember, I had given him ‘outstanding’ in his assessment that year.”

RB Sreekumar, IPS (retd) Gujarat Cadre

Soon Asthana, the 1984 IPS officer of Gujarat Cadre, served as superintendent of police, CBI, in Dhanbad, and then as director general of police, CBI, in Patna. During the 90s, Asthana was in the limelight, investigating the much-publicised fodder scam in Bihar.

Repatriation And Rumours of Collusion

According to one former IPS officer of the Gujarat Cadre, who wished to remain anonymous, Asthana’s career sky-rocketed just as the Gujarat riots ended.

“He was recently repatriated and awaiting posting. I, too, was transferred back to Ahmedabad and remember him, sitting at the IB office at the time. Then the orders came and Asthana was appointed Inspector General (IG) of Vadodara. The IG of Vadodara range has territorial jurisdiction over Godhra,” he said.

When asked whether Asthana’s appointment was based on merit, he said, “I can name 10 officers who superseded him [Asthana]. The fact is, the government needed an officer to do their bidding and paint a picture that screams international conspiracy.”

Rakesh Asthana presided the Special Investigation Team that probed the Godhra Train Massacre(Photo: PTI)

Sreekumar, too, remains unconvinced by Asthana’s appointment as Vadodara Range IG. “Normally a person who has been promoted and served some other post gets picked as the Range IG. Range IG is someone who directly supervises the executive work of the SPs,” Sreekumar said.

“In the IPS circle, there were rumours that Asthana was extremely chummy with the government. The state government wanted to project the Godhra Massacre as an international conspiracy. After Asthana took over the investigation, a conspiracy theory was introduced. These are rumours, I cannot claim to be party to seeing the collusion.”

RB Sreekumar, IPS (retd) Gujarat Cadre

From Plum Postings to Lavish Weddings

“His growth was rapid. Soon he was the Commissioner of Vadodara, and later, Commissioner of Police in Surat. Surat is notorious for transfers, yet our man lasted there for five years. Unless you know the right people, this wouldn’t happen,” said a former IPS officer, who spoke to The Quint under anonymity.

“By 2013-14, there were rumours that if Modi <i>sahab </i>takes over as prime minister, Asthana will be brought in as additional director or special director of the CBI at New Delhi. This I’ve mentioned in my book. This book was written and published in 2016.”

RB Sreekumar, IPS (retd) Gujarat Cadre

However, after the tussle between Asthana and Alok Verma shook the capital, sleuths from the CBI came down to Vadodara to investigate Asthana’s daughter’s wedding, which he had organised in November 2016 – leaving no stone unturned.

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara(Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia)

The wedding was held at Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara while the Sangeet function was held at the farmhouse of Chetan Sandesara. The Sandesara family, which owns and runs Sterling Biotech, has been indicted in a bank fraud to the tune of Rs 5,000 crores. The family has fled India and is currently in Nigeria.

All the hotels, caterers and transport vendors involved in the marital extravaganza claimed that their services were provided to Asthana on a complimentary basis. Incidentally, Asthana’s name appeared in a diary seized from Sterling Biotech during a raid held in 2011.

Footing the Big Fat Wedding Bill

According to the former IPS officer who spoke to The Quint under anonymity, Asthana spent crores on his daughter’s wedding in 2016, and that alone should have raised red flags two years back. He claims that the concept of accepting services for the wedding on a complimentary basis is not backed by the service rules.

“How much salary do you think an honest IPS officer draws? Even if the whole wedding was arranged on a complimentary basis, why was it not reported to the higher-ups? A clear ruling has been made in Schedule 16 (4) of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 – If you enter a transaction that is twice of your basic salary, it needs to be reported. Without such a provision in place, any government official can just about accept any thing and call it complimentary.”

Former Gujarat IPS officer under anonymity&nbsp;

Sreekumar claims that the vigilance department should have taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. “Procedurally, a departmental chargesheet can be issued to Asthana on this issue. Investigation can be done on why he received complimentary benefits. But when you are so close to a power centre such as Modi sahab, others will not dare point a finger against such a person.”

“Perhaps he is one of those officers who is professionally sound as far as expertise is concerned. But, all over India, there is a trend of efficient people, positively cultivating the powers that be, for advancing their career interests by hook or by crook. That is the tragedy of India.”

RB Sreekumar, IPS (retd) Gujarat Cadre