Praveen Sood’s new role surprises many babus

BENGALURU:  The appointment of DG&IGP Praveen Sood as CBI director has taken most bureaucrats in the state by surprise. Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said that with the change in the government, it was expected that some of the top police officers holding key posts, including the DG&IGP, would change, but the “suddenness” of Sood’s appointment as CBI director has come as a “surprise” to all. This is the first time Sood will go to New Delhi for a central posting. 

His name is featured in the list comprising DGP Madhya Pradesh, Sudhir Saxena and Chief of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards. New Delhi, Taj Haasan, and was finalised on Saturday by the three-member appointment committee comprising PM Narendra Modi, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and Leader of the Opposition (Congress) in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. 

Chowdhury had reportedly objected to the procedure and demanded that the process be carried out afresh. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Sood’s appointment based on the panel’s recommendation. The Department of Personnel & Training issued the appointment order on Sunday. Sood will assume charge on May 25, but before that, he will have to be relieved by the Karnataka chief minister.