NEW DELHI: Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma is tipped to be the next director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), replacing interim chief Rakesh Asthana. However, a formal announcement was on Monday withheld after the meeting of the search committee which went on until late in the evening, ended with the leader of the main opposition party in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, seeking to put in a dissent note.
The search committee for the appointment of the CBI director comprises the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and leader of the biggest opposition party in the Lower House. The meeting, which took place at the Prime Minister’s Office, considered three names, in which Asthana did not figure.
He could not make the cut as officers from batches between 1979 and 1982 were considered. Verma, a 1979-batch IPS officer, made the cut. Sources said the government placed three names before Chief Justice J S Khehar and Kharge, for consideration. Kharge sought more time. Another meeting of the committee may take place on Jan. 18, when Kharge may put in his dissent note. However, government sources did not confirm the second meeting.
As per the amended rule, the search committee may or may not take a unanimous view. A dissent note can be presented by the minority member. The search committee meeting was called after Asthana’s sudden appointment led to a PIL in the Supreme Court.