A crucial meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Chief Justice of India Justice Sanjiv Khanna regarding the appointment of the CBI Director failed to reach a consensus on a single candidate.
New CBI Chief: The situation remains unclear regarding the appointment of the new Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the country's most prestigious and influential investigative agency. A high-level committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday failed to reach a consensus on the selection of a new director. This selection committee included the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
This important meeting, involving the three top officials, considered several senior IPS officers but couldn't finalize a single name.
Selection Process: How is the CBI Director Chosen?
The appointment of the CBI Director is based on the recommendation of a special high-level selection committee. This committee comprises three members—the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. A consensus among these three is required to select an officer for the Director's post. The committee is provided with a list of senior IPS officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Personnel, containing detailed information on their service records, experience, and performance. From this list, the committee finalizes a single candidate.
Who's in the Race?
Several prominent IPS officers are in the running for the CBI Director's position this time. Leading the pack is Sanjay Arora, a 1988 batch IPS officer currently serving as the Delhi Police Commissioner. Others prominent contenders include Manoj Yadav, head of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Kailash Makwana, the head of the Madhya Pradesh Police.
Sources indicate that the detailed panel submitted to the selection committee also includes names like DG SSB Amrit Mohan Prasad, DG BSF Daljit Chaudhary, DG CISF R.S. Bhatti, and DG CRPF G.P. Singh. However, the inability to reach a unanimous decision despite such a large panel makes this appointment process complex.
Tenure and Supreme Court Guidelines
The tenure of the CBI Director can be a maximum of five years. The Supreme Court has also clarified that an officer can be appointed as Director only if they have at least six months remaining in their service. Furthermore, ensuring a minimum tenure of two years is mandatory to maintain the agency's independence and stability.
If the selection committee fails to reach a consensus on a single name, the current director's tenure may be extended. This seems to be the current situation. The current CBI Director, Praveen Sood's tenure ends on May 25, 2025. If a consensus isn't reached soon on a new name, it is likely that he will be given a one-year extension.
Praveen Sood is a 1986 batch IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre and assumed the post of CBI chief in May 2023. Prior to this, he was the DGP of Karnataka. The government has been satisfied with his performance, making a tenure extension seem likely.
