‘CVC panel unanimously recommended Rakesh Asthana as CBI spl director’

Putting to rest all speculations, Central Vigilance Commissioner KV Chowdary said on Thursday a committee headed by him unanimously approved the elevation of Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana to the post of special director in the CBI.

“All I can say is that the process has been followed and the recommendations have been unanimous,” said Chowdary at a press conference in New Delhi.

Chowdary skirted the question whether CBI director Alok Verma was on board with the decision but clarified that he was “consulted”.

According to the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (DSPE), that governs the working of the CBI, the CVC-led committee recommends the names of officers for appointment and extension or curtailment of their term. The committee makes the recommendations with regard to the officers of the rank of superintendent of police and above.

According to the Act, the CBI director should be consulted by the committee before making any recommendation.

Chowdary said the CBI director is an invitee in the CVC selection committee meeting. “As I said, the CBI director is not a member of the committee. He is a special invitee. He has to be consulted. He has been consulted. In the consultation whether he supported or opposed (the promotion of Asthana), it would not be appropriate for the committee to disclose. His views have been taken note of. Detailed minutes of the meeting have been recorded and the recommendation has been made.”

He said his views have been taken into account and unanimous recommendations have been made to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

He added that there were some reports in the press to the contrary but he didn’t want to join the issue.