The CBI has split administrative hairs to underscore that Alok Verma “continues to remain director” and Rakesh Asthana “remains special director” although they have been stripped of all responsibilities and sent on leave.

The clerical correctness is being seen as an attempt to play safe ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on Friday.

A three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi is scheduled to hear Verma’s petition questioning the authority of the Centre as well as the Central Vigilance Commission, whose recommendation the Narendra Modi government has cited, to remove him.

“Alok Verma continues to remain director of CBI; Asthana remains special director. M. Nageshwar Rao is looking after duties and functions of the director in the interim period till the time the CVC (Central Vigilance Commission) looks into the allegations and counter allegations against the two top officers and decides on its probe involving both,” CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal said.

Verma and Asthana, who is believed to be close to Modi, have accused each other of accepting bribes from businessmen to give them relief from investigation.

Verma has contended that the previous consent of a three-member panel of the Prime Minister, Chief Justice and the leader of the Opposition must be taken before the CBI director is shifted. Otherwise, the fixed two-year tenure cannot be interfered with.

Before Verma was sent on leave, no such consent was taken.

The CBI seems to be suggesting that since Verma has neither been removed nor transferred, there was no need to seek the consent of the panel.