Director General of Civil Aviation Security Rakesh Asthana has been given the additional charge of the Narcotics Control Bureau. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved for "entrustment of the additional charge of the post of Director General Narcotics Control Bureau" to the 1984-batch Gujarat cadre IPS officer for next six months or till a new incumbent is appointed.

Christian Michel, alleged middleman in AgustaWestland chopper scam case, claimed in Delhi court today that former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana met him in Dubai and threatened to "make his life hell" inside jail if he did not accept the authority of the premier agency in investigation. Christian Michel also told the court that he was put in prison with 16-17 Kashmiri separatist leaders.

Rakesh Asthana, the former CBI Special Director and currently the Civil Aviation Security chief, is among three IPS officers given the top pay scale of Rs.2.25 lakh, according to a Personnel Ministry order. NIA head YC Modi and Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police SS Deswal were also given the same pay scale. All of them are 1984-batch IPS officers.