New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting at his residence to discuss the appointment of the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), with Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi participating in the selection process.
The meeting assumes significance as the tenure of current CBI Director Praveen Sood is scheduled to end later this month. Under the existing appointment system, the CBI chief is selected by a high-powered committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India or his nominee, and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
According to reports, several senior IPS officers were discussed during the meeting. Among the prominent names believed to be under consideration are RAW chief Parag Jain, ITBP Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, Maharashtra DGP Sadanand Date and senior Madhya Pradesh cadre officer Ajay Kumar Sharma.
Sources said Rahul Gandhi expressed reservations over the selection process and submitted a formal note of dissent during the discussions. However, no official announcement regarding the final appointment had been made till late Tuesday evening.
Praveen Sood, who took charge as CBI Director in May 2023, had earlier received a one-year extension from the Centre. Reports suggest the possibility of another extension has also not been completely ruled out.
The CBI Director’s post is considered one of the country’s most crucial investigative positions, with the agency handling major corruption, economic offences and high-profile criminal investigations.