NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Wednesday permitted CBI director Alok Kumar Verma and joint director A K Sharma to inspect in the CVC’s office the case file relating to FIR against the agency’s special director and their factional rival Rakesh Asthana who has accused them of mala fide.

Justice Najmi Waziri’s order came after the counsel for Verma and Sharma said they need to inspect the file to “refresh” their memory and prepare a response to allegations against them in Asthana’s petition. The court also extended till December 7 its order directing CBI to maintain status quo regarding proceedings against Asthana, who has sought quashing of the FIR against him in a bribery case.

HC specified that Verma can inspect the case file, lying in the custody of Central Vigilance Commission , on Thursday at 4:30 PM in the presence of CBI’s superintendent of police Satish Dagar. Similarly Sharma has been asked to go to CVC’s office to inspect the case record on Friday.

The case files and documents were sent to CVC for scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s order directing the vigilance body to inquire against Verma, the agency informed the HC on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the court also allowed Sharma to place in a sealed cover “incriminating material” he claims to be in possession against Asthana. Through his counsel, the joint director claimed he has legally intercepted phone and WhatsApp conversations on nexus between Asthana, the Prasad brothers (who allegedly worked at Asthana’s behest) and other senior officials in the government.

Senior advocates Amrendra Sharan and Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Asthana and CBI deputy SP Devender Kumar, however, opposed Sharma’s stand and argued that whatever material he has must be given to the CBI and if reliance is placed on the documents, their clients should also be given access to it.

Verma’s counsel had earlier argued that since there are allegations of mala fide against him in Asthana’s petition, he needs to rebut these and needed access to the case file.

CBI has maintained that allegations against Asthana and Kumar reveal cognisable offences while admitting it is “handicapped” in its probe as the case files and documents have been sent to the CVC.

