In a dramatic development on Thursday, four Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel were caught by the security staff of CBI director Alok Verma outside his residence in the heart of Delhi, prompting the IB to say the men were on "routine patrol".

The security staff of Verma, who was stripped of his powers post midnight Tuesday, caught hold of the IB personnel who were seated in two parked cars outside the CBI director's Janpath residence and dragged them into his house.

Each IB operative was caught by at least two of Verma's guards -- in one case one man was held by his collar -- and taken into Verma's bungalow and asked to reveal their identity. The men had been seen in their cars since Wednesday night, raising suspicion that they were spying on Verma.

The CBI chief had earlier been sent "on leave" by the government after a high-profile spat with CBI special director Rakesh Asthana, who too has been sent on leave.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi held a press conference on today's developments. He once again reiterated that the CBI director's removal is aimed at stopping him from probing the Rafale deal. Not just that, Rahul Gandhi also claims that incriminating documents relating to the Rafale Deal were taken away from the CBI Director's office during the midnight drama.

CNBC-TV18 discuss the issue with Manish Tewari, senior congress leader; Nalin Kohli, BJP spokesperson and former K Rangotham, CBI director.

First Published:Oct 25, 2018 8:38 PM IST