Karnataka DGP emerges as strong contender for CBI chief’s post

NEW DELHI: Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood, an IPS officer of the 1986 batch, appears to have emerged as a strong contender for the CBI director’s post after he received the backing of PM Modi and CJI D Y Chandrachud on the ground of being the senior-most among the probables.
Though leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was part of the selection panel along withPM and the CJI which met on Saturday, submitted a detailed dissent note opposing Sood’s candidature, primarily on the ground that he was not part of the pool of IPS officers eligible to serve at DGP level atthe Centre, the concurring opinions of the PM and the CJI in his favour would be enough for him to be recommended for the coveted post.
Sood, sources said, is the senior-most officer in race to succeed incumbent Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, whose two-year tenure as CBI director ends later this month. It is learnt that the CJI was in favour of appointing the senior-most officer on the panel of three names sent to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC). Due to superannuate on May 31, 2024, Sood will get a fixed term until May 2025 if appointed as CBI chief.
Sources indicated that while there are other “eligible” 1986 batch IPS officers — including CISF chief SheelVardhan Singh, who retires in August; and NSG chief M A Ganapathy, who superannuates on March 2024 and also has prior experience in CBI — the majority view in the panel seemed to be in favour of Sood’s candidature.
Though Sood has not served in the CBI earlier, sources toldTOIthis is unlikely to impede his chances.
Technically, even Jaiswal is eligible for an extension in tenure as CBI director in view of amendments made to the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act and the CVC Act in 2021. The amendments provide for a maximum five-year tenure to CBI and ED chiefs, including a two-year fixed term that may be extended “in public interest” by up to three years, one year at a time.