Government has done the right thing by ringing in changes at the leadership level of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It is a necessary step to check the contagion triggered by a dispute between the erstwhile chief Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana. Both have been sent on leave. For the moment, CBI will be headed by M Nageshwar Rao. It is a pragmatic choice as the new chief has been chosen from within the organisation. At a time of flux, this choice imparts a semblance of continuity without the taint of internecine strife.

The new chief will have to figure out how to carry forward ongoing investigations of corruption. The investigation of some high profile cases has been tainted by the internecine strife, but dropping investigations will only have adverse consequences. Recent developments also point to the limitations of top down reforms of CBI. The chief is chosen by a non-partisan search committee which includes chief justice of India and the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha. There is little this search committee can do if the quality of personnel available leaves a lot to be desired. There is no getting away from initiating grassroots reforms in the police force if organisations such as CBI are to become effective.

Read: Top CBI officers sent on leave to maintain agency’s integrity: Arun Jaitley 

Read: Alok Verma vs Rakesh Asthana- How it all started

Read: Alok Verma moves SC against govt’s leave order