Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 24

A high-powered committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shortlisted three names — CISF Director General Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, Sashastra Seema Bal DG Kumar Rajesh Chandra and Home Ministry Special Secretary VSK Kaumudi — for the post of CBI Director.

Jaiswal, a 1985-batch IPS officer, is a former Maharashtra DGP. He is at present the CISF Director General.

Chandra, a 1985-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, is at present posted as the SSB DG, while Kaumudi, a 1986-batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, is posted as the Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the MHA.

The committee, which also has Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress) as its members, held a meeting at the PM’s residence here, sources said. The sources said the meeting lasted for about 90 minutes and during the course of deliberations on the possible names, Chowdhury is learnt to have objected to the selection process.

“The way procedure was followed, it was in conflict with the mandate of the committee. On May 11, I was given 109 names and today by 1 pm, 10 names were shortlisted and by 4 pm, six names were shortlisted. This casual approach is highly objectionable,” he said.

The post of CBI Director is vacant since the then incumbent Rishi Kumar Shukla retired on February 4 after a two-year stint.