Will the Narendra Modi government name the new CBI director in next 24 hours? The three-member select panel led by the prime minister met late Friday evening to decide on the appointment of the new CBI director, but the meeting remained inconclusive. The process of appointment of the new CBI chief is expected to create another political storm after its member and leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge is learnt to have expressed dissatisfaction at the appointment of Nageshwar Rao as interim director when then incumbent Alok Verma was removed on January 10.
On Friday, government sources said, the selection panel shortlisted three names for the post of the new CBI director. After the names are sent to the Appointment Committee of Cabinet, a decision is expected to be announced soon.
DG BSF R.K. Mishra, ITBP DG S.S. Deshwal and former UP DGP Javeed Ahmad are said to be in contention for the top job in the CBI.
It may be recalled that Kharge had earlier dissented to the appointment of Alok Verma and later objected to his removal as well, which was overruled by the panel.
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Interestingly, the selection panel's meeting took place on a day when senior advocate Prashant Bhushan sought the quashing of the appointment of interim CBI director Nageshwar Rao. Attorney General K.K. Venugopal informed the Supreme Court that the selection panel was meeting on Friday evening to decide on the appointment of the new CBI chief.
The PM-led panel, which met late in the evening, could not zero in on one name.
This is for the second time the selection panel has met in two weeks to appoint the CBI director. Both the time, the meeting remained inconclusive. However, under pressure, the government is now expected to put on fast-track the appointment of the new chief, which may come anytime, sources said.
The days-long developments meant status quo, thereby allowing Rao to remain the director of the premier investigative agency for the time being. Rao continues to remain the interim boss even as the countdown to the Lok Sabha polls has begun.
The probe agency is at a crucial juncture of planning to file its supplementary charge-sheet in the AgustaWestland case in the next few days. Sources said the probe into the case is picking up steam and the second charge-sheet would necessarily have to go through the new director if he is appointed by then.
Three accused in the chopper scam case have been brought back to India from Dubai in last two months. After the successful extradition of alleged middleman Christian Michel, who is accused to have bribed several government officials, the CBI has been questioning him on his alleged links with the Congress party leadership.
