New Delhi: In a move that could trigger a political storm, the Centre after nearly a decade has not named a full-time CBI director. It gave additional charge to Mr Rakesh Asthana, a Gujarat-cadre IPS officer of the 1984 batch, who was elevated as No. 2 in the agency only two days ago.
In an equally swift move, the Centre had shifted the then second senior-most officer Rupak Kumar Dutta, 1981 batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre, to the home ministry as special secretary. Mr Dutta was among the front-runners for the post.
Asthana is incharge of Agusta case
“The competent authority has approved assignment of additional charge of the post of Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to Rakesh Asthana, IPS (GJ: 1984), additional director, CBI with effect from the date of relinquishment of charge by Anil Kumar Sinha, IPS (BH:1979) on completion of his tenure with immediate effect and until further orders,” an order issued by the department of personnel and training on Friday said.
Asthana is in charge of investigating important cases like the AgustaWestland chopper deal and cases against liquor baron Vijay Mallya. Being a senior Gujarat cadre officer, he has in past worked closely with the present dispensation at the Centre. He was also police commissioner of Vadodara and Surat.
