PM Modi-led committee shortlists three names for CBI Director's post

VSK Kaumudi, a 1986-batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, is posted as the special secretary for internal security in the Home Ministry.

The name of Uttar Pradesh DGP HC Awasthy, a 1985-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, was also under consideration. The meeting of the high-powered committee, comprising Prime Minister Modi, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, started around 6:30 pm at the 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the Prime Minister, the sources said.

During the 90-minute meeting, Chowdhury objected to the process of selection of officers for the coveted post of CBI director. "The way procedure was followed, it was in the conflict of the mandate of the committee. On May 11, I was given 109 names, and today by 1 pm, 10 names were shortlisted, and by 4 pm, six names were shortlisted. This casual approach of DoPT (department of personnel and training) is highly objectionable," Chowdhury told PTI.

The post of CBI director is vacant since the then incumbent Rishi Kumar Shukla retired on February 4 after a two-year stint.

The charge for the post was handed to Additional Director Praveen Sinha, a 1988-batch Gujarat cadre IPS officer, till a formal appointment is made.