Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday evening called ameeting to ponder upon the names of officials that can be appointed as the nextchief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). For the meeting, ChiefJustice of India NV Ramana and opposition leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reachedat the PM’s residence in New Delhi.
On Monday evening, the panel has put forward 3 names thathave the potential to be the next CBI chief. Reportedly, the committee is considering consideringIndian Police Service (IPS) officers from four senior-most batches (1984-87) tobe the next CBI chief.
Three nominations for the top-most position includes: UttarPradesh Director General of Police and a 1985-batch IPS officer HC Awasthi; DirectorGeneral of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) KR Chandra; and Special Secretary(Internal Security) at home affairs ministry VSK Kaumudi.
Despite the fact that Congress leader was invited forthe selection, Chowdhury did not seem to have contended with the selectionprocess and has raised objections on it too. He has alleged that the departmentof personnel and training had followed a ‘casual approach to come up with thenames of candidates.
"The way the procedure was followed, it was in a conflict of the mandate of the committee. On May 11, I was given 109 names...and today by 1 pm, 10 names were shortlisted while by 4 pm, six names wereshortlisted. This casual approach of the department of personnel and trainingis highly objectionable," the Congress leader said.
It may be noted here that the meeting led by PM Modi, lastedfor over 90 minutes after witnessing a delay of nearly four months. It hascome to light that to shortlist the officials, more than 100 officers were consideredby the committee from the 1984-87 batches.
According to the selection ‘law’, the committee willchoose the CBI director "on the basis of seniority, integrity andexperience in the investigation of anti-corruption cases."
However, whosoever would get the charge the Chief willhave to extend his services for a period of at least two years from the date ofjoining.
Pertinently, RK Shukla has retired as the CBI Director inFebruary this year after serving his two-year term. Presently, the bureau isled by Additional Director Praveen Sinha, who will remain in charge until thelatest appointment.