Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma to be next CBI Chief

New Delhi [India], Jan. 19 (ANI): Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma is set to be the new Chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the appointment of Verma as the new Director of CBI for a period of two years. This development comes despite the objection by the Congress that officers who have a background of CBI or vigilance should be given preference. Alok Kumar Verma took charge as the Delhi Police Commissioner in February last year and was to hold the post till July 2017. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier asserted that the selection of the candidate for the post of CBI director must be done on basis of merit, seniority. Kharge who is also a part of three-member committee formed for electing the new CBI chief told ANI, "The law says that selection must be made according merit, experience and seniority. Our issue is people who have worked for the CBI, vigilance, Lokayukta should be given preference." Nearly 49 Indian Police Service officers were in the fray. Alok Verma (1979 batch) was said to be the frontrunner and his batchmate and ITBP Director General Krishna Chaudhary were also in the running. With Government pushing for Verma's name, according to reports, a difference in opinion was formed with Congress citing inexperience as the reason for former's appointment for the coveted post. The Supreme Court in its ruling directed the government to appoint the CBI director by January 16. The Supreme Court gave its order while hearing a petition last month challenging the appointment of Gujarat-cadre Rakesh Asthana as the interim CBI chief. The CBI Director is selected by a Selection Committee comprising Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and Leader of Opposition or leader of the largest party in opposition in Lok Sabha.(ANI)