Calling the transfer of CBI Joint Director Rishi Raj Singh, who headed the probe in the Adarsh scam, as "inappropriate", a senior Maharashtra BJP leader has requested the Centre to put it on hold.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Vinod Tawde has written to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister, saying transferring the officer at a time when investigations in the case are still on is "inappropriate and should be stopped".

Singh, a 1985 batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre, was shifted from the Anti-Corruption Branch of the agency to the Economic Offences Wing yesterday, a day after CBI filed its first charge sheet in the Adarsh scam against 13 accused including former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

Though CBI has maintained that it is a routine transfer, the letter seeks to question the timing of the move.

Keshav Kumar, a 1986 batch IPS officer from Gujarat cadre, will take over from Singh.