New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government on Friday appointed as acting CBI director a Gujarat cadre IPS officer, prompting questions why it had not picked a full-time chief despite having started the selection process five months back.
Rakesh Asthana, a 1984 batch IPS officer, had as inspector-general overseen the initial probe into the Godhra train burning that culminated in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
“He is believed to be very close to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. This must be the reason why the government preferred to appoint him as acting CBI director rather than going for a full-time director who may not enjoy its confidence,” said a senior Union home ministry official.
This is the first time in 10 years that no full-time CBI chief has been appointed. Anil Sinha, the current chief, retired on Friday. A CBI director enjoys a fixed two-year term.
Sources in the ministry said the process to select a new director had started in early July.
“The department of personnel and training (DoPT) had sought the names of eligible IPS officers and we had sent a list of around 40 in July. It’s surprising that the government still chose to appoint an acting CBI director,” another official said.
Asthana was moved out of Gujarat in April this year and appointed additional director in the CBI.
