Finance minister Arun Jaitley speaking on the CBI. Excerpts from his press conference.


-- Director has been accused by Special Director. A Special Director has been accused by CBI. Two topmost officers of CBI have been accused. Now who will investigate it? Requirements of fairness and fair play have to be there. Government can't investigate it.


-- CBI is a premier investigative agency, for maintenance of its institutional  integrity, it is a pre-condition and absolutely essential for fair investigation.


-- CVC in its meeting yesterday said neither these 2 officers (Arun Verma & Rakesh Asthana) nor any agency under their supervision can investigate charges against them. So the officers will sit out by going on leave. It's an interim measure. The CVCs recommendation and the government's action is intended to restore the institutional integrity and credibility of CBI


-- CBI is meant for honest investigations. CBI's sanctity has to be maintained. Requirements of fairness and fair play have to be there.


-- This is outside the purview of the government. It is important to keep the integrity of the CBI intact. There are charges, counter charges in the CBI. Only CVC can investigate both officers.


-- The officers will go on leave, and a SIT not functioning under any of these officers will probe the matter. Officers were sent on leave for a fair probe. SIT will probe both officers. Who will constitute the SIT, will be decided by the CBI, not the government.


-- The CBI will decide on the framing of the SIT, not the government.


-- Every person is entitled to the presumption of innocence so we will not prejudge.


-- We cannot make mockeries of investigations.