Central Bureau of Investigation Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana have been “divested of all powers” amid an ongoing spat between them, sources said, calling it the first such case in the history of the agency.

The government will issue a detailed statement during the day, they said.

The prime minister-led Appointments Committee in an order on Tuesday night gave charge of the Director to Joint Director M. Nageshwara Rao with immediate effect, a government order said.

The order implies that the government has side lined all the three additional directors, number three in the agency hierarchy, including A.K. Sharma whose name had figured in the complaint by Asthana.

There were reports that the CBI Headquarters had been sealed and officials or outsiders were not being allowed as a team of officers were inside, the sources said.

However, the building has now been opened.