Report by Aryaa Sinha
On Sunday, May 14th, Shri Praveen Sood, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1986 batch, was appointed the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
CBI is among India’s top investigative agencies.
The selection process was carried out by a committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After the current Director, Shri Subodh Kumar Jaiswal (1985 Batch IPS, Maharashtra cadre), finishes his tenure on the 25th of May, Shri Praveen Sood, will be taking charge as the chief of CBI. Shri Jaiswal was appointed as the CBI Director on 25th May 2021.
He is the senior most serving Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in India.
About Shri Praveen Sood
Shri Praveen Sood, 59, is the new head of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
He currently serves as the Inspector General and Director General of Police in Karnataka.
He is an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM-Bangalore. He has held various positions, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Law and Order (Bengaluru), Director General of Police(DGP) for CID, Economic Offenses, and Special Units.
His accolades include the Chief Minister’s Gold Medal, Police Medal for Meritorious Service, and President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
What is the CBI?
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is a special agency in India that investigates serious crimes and corruption cases. It works independently from state police forces and focuses on cases that have national importance or involve government officials.
The CBI is responsible for conducting a thorough investigation, collecting evidence, and charging the culprits.
The Role of The CBI Director
The CBI Director leads the organization, sets its goals, and manages its operations. The role involves overseeing investigations, coordinating with other agencies, and making decisions related to cases.
The Director is accountable for the agency’s actions, represents it at official events, and plays a role in shaping policies and guidelines.
The Director ensures that the CBI operates effectively, upholds the rule of law, and serves the public interest.
How is CBI director appointed?
The CBI Director in India is appointed by the Central Government based on a committee’s recommendation.
The committee includes the Prime Minister as the chairperson, the Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. If there is no recognized Leader of the Opposition, the leader of the single largest opposition party becomes a committee member.
This process was established by the Vineet Narain case judgment (1997) and subsequent amendments to the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act. The appointment follows guidelines set by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (2013) and the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Act (2014).
Image credit: Official website of CBI and official Twitter account of Parveen Sood