Praveen Sood takes charge as CBI director for two year term

Praveen Sood assumed charge as CBI director on May 25, 2023, for a two year term

Praveen Sood took over as the CBI director on May 25, 2023 for a two-year term.

Praveen Sood Continues As CBI Director: Incumbent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Praveen Sood has been granted a one-year extension, allowing him to continue in office beyond his scheduled tenure ending on May 24, 2026. The decision extends Praveen Sood’s leadership at the country’s top investigating agency after the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the proposal following a high-level selection committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The extension ensures that Praveen Sood will continue as CBI Director for an additional year, marking a continuation of his tenure that began on May 25, 2023. A 1986-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre, Praveen Sood was initially appointed for a fixed two-year term. The latest decision effectively keeps him at the helm of the agency beyond his original tenure schedule.

The extension was cleared by the ACC based on recommendations from the statutory selection committee. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s residence and reviewed options for the continuation of leadership at the CBI.

The process triggered political friction, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi submitting a dissent note during the selection discussions. Rahul Gandhi objected to the selection process, alleging lack of transparency and claiming his role was reduced to that of a “rubber stamp”. He also shared his dissent publicly, stating that he could not “abdicate constitutional duty by participating in a biased exercise”.

In his dissent note, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government had denied him access to key information regarding shortlisted candidates and accused the process of being unfair.

Who Is Praveen Sood?

Before taking charge of the CBI, Praveen Sood served as Director General of Police (DGP) in Karnataka. His appointment as CBI Director in 2023 placed him at the head of India’s premier investigative agency, which handles major corruption, financial crime and high-profile criminal cases.

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