Congress demands Modi's apology to nation, to hold protests outside CBI offices across nation on Friday

The Congress party on Thursday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending Central Bureau of Investigation director Alok Verma on leave and said that it would hold protests on Friday outside all CBI offices across the country.

Terming the Centre’s order on Tuesday night in sending CBI director Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana on leave as "illegal and unconstitutional", the Congress demanded Modi’s apology to the nation and reinstatement of Verma who was sent on leave.

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Top Congress leaders will protest outside the CBI headquarters in Delhi, while state leaders will hold similar protests outside CBI offices in respective states, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

Apart from sending Verma and Asthana on leave, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by the prime minister also transferred several CBI officials and appointed M Nageswar Rao as the interim chief of the agency.

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Challenging the government's decision, Verma moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The court agreed to hear his plea on Friday.

(With inputs from agencies)