The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has cleared the name of Anil Kumar Sinha as the next director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Sinha, a 1979 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre, will succeed Ranjit Sinha, a fellow Bihar cadre officer, who retired on Tuesday.
A high-powered committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Chief Justice of India H L Dattu chose Sinha from a panel of aspirants to be the next CBI chief.
Sinha was working in the CBI since May 15, 2013 as special director and was supervising investigations into several high profile cases.
Before joining CBI, he was posted as additional secretary in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
Sinha holds a post-graduate degree in psychology and an M.Phil in strategic studies. He also attended the prestigious Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University.
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He has held various senior positions in Bihar including ADG (law and order) and ADG (vigilance) before moving to the Centre. He was awarded the police medal for meritorious service in 2000 and the President's police medal for distinguished service in 2006.
This is the first time that the PM-led panel has selected the CBI director.
The composition of the selection panel, which was earlier headed by the central vigilance commissioner, was revised when Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act was passed earlier this year, amending provisions the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
Recently, both Houses of Parliament approved another amendment to DSPE Act to allow the leader of the single largest party in Lok Sabha to sit on the selection panel for CBI director, where no leader of opposition was recognized.