Amid the mudslinging by two top Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials played out in full public glare that dented the credibility of the organisation, the investigative agency is to organise a three-day workshop by the Art of Living Foundation beginning Saturday to infuse “positive thinking” among its personnel, including acting Director M Nageshwara Rao. 

The Art of Living Synergy Programme will be organised by the Art of Living Foundation led by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the CBI headquarters from Saturday to Monday. The programme aims to build synergy, competency and positive outlook amongst the participants.

“The purpose of the workshop is to improve positivity, enhance synergy and generate a healthy atmosphere in the agency and motivate the staff to achieve their full potential,” the CBI said in a statement.

Over 150 officers, from the rank of Inspectors up to In-charge Director of CBI will be attending the programme at the agency headquarters. 

Allegations and counter-allegations by benched CBI Director Alok Verma and his deputy and Special Director Rakesh Asthana had vitiated the working environment in the agency with the personnel divided between two camps led by the two top officials, sources said, adding, the workshop will change the negativity set in by the slugfest between Verma and Asthana that was played out in the public domain.

“An environment of suspicion was created due to the recent controversy and the workshop is expected to raise the motivation level of the agency personnel. Realising the negativity that had set in within the rank and file, a decision was taken to organise the workshop,” an official said.

Asthana had alleged that Verma was involved in bribery in the Moin Qureshi case and interfered in high profile cases including the IRCTC scam involving former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad. Verma had on his part alleged that role of Asthana was being probed in six cases. However, Verma never submitted an action taken report to the CVC relating to the allegations against Asthana. Verma also did not submit case files sought by the CVC with regard to the ones in which he allegedly interfered and took bribes.

In view of the eroding credibility of the CBI under Verma, the Government in a midnight operation on October 23 decided to bench both the CBI Director and Special Director till the Central Vigilance Commission completes the probe against them and sent the two top officials on leave. The CVC will submit a report on the two officers before the Supreme Court on Monday.