CBI official's suicide a matter of concern, says Aam Aadmi Party

AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj and Manish Sisodia questioned the Centre's silence over the death of a CBI official.

AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj questioned the silence on the part of the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) over the death of its deputy legal advisor, given that it had been three days since his death. On Monday, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia demanded an independent judicial inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court judge into the causes of the death of Jitendra Kumar.

"Why is the CBI silent on his death? Not a single CBI functionary came in front to talk about his death or even issue a personal obituary about their officer. Usually, when a well-performing officer passes away, there is some kind of remembrance of him ensured by the government. From what I have learnt, he was a very honest, dedicated and senior officer of the CBI. He was legally sharp too. The CBI’s silence on his death is very shocking," alleged Bhardwaj.

"Why did no one from the CBI come forward to condole his death and talk about his achievements in the agency? He was pressurised to falsely frame a strong case against Dy CM Manish Sisodia that could lead the CBI to his arrest," the AAP MLA said.

Manish Sisodia said that he was aware that the deceased CBI officer was not an investigative officer but a law officer, but alleged that Kumar was compelled to fabricate the AAP leader into a false case.

I agree that CBI officer Jitender Kumar was not an investigative officer. He was a law officer dealing with my case. He was pressurised to create a false story implicating me. He could not bear the pressure and committed suicide. There should be an independent judicial enquiry, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, into the cause of death of CBI deputy legal advisor Late Jitendra Kumar.

Saurabh Bhardwaj said, "CBI’s deputy legal advisor is a very senior post in the official ranks. It is somewhat equal to the director of the prosecution of a state government. The officers advise the CBI on the legal viability of cases they are investigating. For an officer of this calibre to die suspiciously and that too by suicide is a matter of grave concern."

Levelling further allegations against CBI, AAP's Saurabh Bhardwaj said that due to undue pressure from the central government, the officer had been working for the CBI's false accusation. As per Bhardwaj, the CBI official was under pressure, against his will, to somehow present a compelling case against Manish Sisodia, so that he could be imprisoned and publicly humiliated.