Evasive MEA official stripped of his charge

Senior IFS official Rakesh Kumar, allegedly involved in case of human trafficking to Germany, has been divested of his charge.

Senior IFS official Rakesh Kumar, allegedly involved in case of human trafficking to Germany, has been divested of his charge as Special Secretary, Economic Relations, in the External Affairs Ministry.

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Rinzing Wangdi, a 1971 batch IFS officer, took charge as as Secretary (Economic Relations) on Monday, official sources said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Kumar, a 1972 batch IFS officer, continued to play hide and seek game with the CBI with his family claiming no knowledge of his whereabouts. The family had informed the CBI on Monday that he had left for Rishikesh to "recuperate" after he had got himself hospitalised for nearly a fortnight in Munich, Germany.

The External Affairs Ministry had served the notice sent by the CBI at his residence and directed him to make himself available for questioning before the agency.

The CBI team had also served a notice directly at his South Delhi residence on Monday under section 160 CrPC under which he directed to produce himself for questioning.

The CBI team was informed on Monday that he had gone to Rishikesh but on Tuesday his family said he was not in touch with them.

The CBI had registered an FIR against Kumar and three others after nine of the 15-member dance troupe went missing upon their arrival in Berlin.