PM Modi Chairs High-Level Committee Meeting to Appoint New CBI Director

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a crucial meeting of the high-level committee responsible for the appointment of the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday at the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Chief Justice of India Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, forming the three-member panel as mandated by law.

The meeting comes as the tenure of the current CBI Director, Praveen Sood, draws to a close on July 25. Sood, a 1986-batch IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre, has been leading the premier investigating agency since May 2023. His term is scheduled to conclude after serving a two-year tenure, prompting the initiation of the process to identify his successor.

During the meeting, the committee is believed to have reviewed the list of eligible candidates drawn from among senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, particularly those with experience in investigative work and proven administrative capabilities. As per established procedure, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) prepares a shortlist of potential candidates, which is then examined by the committee before a consensus is reached.

The appointment of the CBI Director holds significant importance as the agency plays a pivotal role in investigating high-profile corruption, economic crimes, and other sensitive cases, often under intense public and political scrutiny. The independence and integrity of the office are thus critical to upholding the rule of law and public trust in the criminal justice system.

Under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the Director of the CBI is appointed by the Central Government based on the recommendation of a three-member committee comprising the Prime Minister (as Chairperson), the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge nominated by the CJI, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

This tripartite committee model was institutionalized following a Supreme Court judgment aimed at insulating the CBI from political interference and ensuring transparency and accountability in the selection process.

While the government has not officially released the name of the new appointee, sources indicate that a final decision is expected soon to ensure a smooth transition before the incumbent’s term ends.