Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma, a 1979-batch IPS officer from UT cadre, on Thursday emerged as the front runner for the post of CBI Director as the current Special Director, RK Dutta, has been appointed as Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Union Home Ministry. The incumbent CBI Director, Anil Kumar Sinha, is retiring on Friday.
The new Director has to be selected by the high-level committee, comprising PM, Chief Justice of India and Opposition leader in lok Sabha.
If the PM-headed committee does not meet this week, the senior-most IPS officer Rakesh Asthana, 1984 batch officer from Gujarat cadre, may be given the temporary charge of the CBI. According to senior officials, at present names of Alok Verma, Maharashtra DGP Satish Chandra Mathur, Bihar cadre 1979 batch officer Krishna Chaudhary, and BPRD chief Meera Borwankar are being considered by Prime Minister’s Office for the post of the CBI chief.
Before the committee meets, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur will go through all the shortlisted names and their credentials, and will submit a report in the meeting which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mallikarjun Kharge (leader of the Congress in the lok Sabha). The high-level committee was constituted in December 2014 as per the provisions of the lokpal Act.
In case, the CJI, who will retire on January 3, passes the responsibility to his successor Justice JS Khehar, the appointment of the CBI chief could be delayed further. In that case, after Anil Sinha’s retirement on December 2, Additional Director Rakesh Asthana will be given the charge of the organisation till the new chief is selected.