CBI Director Anil Sinha today retired from the post handing over the baton to his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana, as the government did not name any full-time chief.
Asthana, a Gujarat-cadre officer of 1984-batch, who got the "additional charge" of Director CBI, was elevated as the Additional Director in the agency two days ago when Special Director R K Dutta, who was among the frontrunners for the top post, was shifted to the Home Ministry as a Special Secretary. The post of second special secretary was created for the first time in the ministry.
It is the first time in last 10 years, that no new CBI chief has been named to succeed an incumbent. Sinha completed his two-year tenure today.
"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 said.
The CBI chief is selected through a collegium comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition or largest party in opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. The collegium has not been able to meet.
Asthana had served CBI previously as DIG and Superintendent of Police, during which he had successfully probed the Fodder Scam in Bihar, Purlia Arms Drop case, trap cases and Disproportionate Assets Cases against corrupt public servants and other accused that ended in their conviction.
He had also served as Commissioner of Police in Surat city and Vadodara city, Joint Commissioner of Police in Ahmedabad city, IGP of Vadodara Range, DIG of CID(Crime), SP and DCP.
He was associated with the investigation of a number of sensitive cases, including Godhra Railway Carnage case. Before joining CBI, he served as Additional Director General (Armed Units), Gujarat.
60-year-old Sinha took charge of the agency when it was earning sobriquet of "caged parrot" and "closure bureau of investigation" and he managed to steady the ship by keeping away from media and ensuring a low profile with limited social circle.
Sinha proved to be a soft-spoken yet assertive leader for the agency who guided investigation in a number of important cases like the Sheena Bora murder case and Vijay Mallya loan default case.
In Mallya's case, Sinha ensured that a case is registered
against the flamboyant liquor baron for his alleged default of loans extended to his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines even though banks did not approach CBI with a complaint.
He directed his teams to explore the role of media baron Peter Mukerjea in the Sheena Bora murder case after the agency was handed over the investigation.
Sinha ensured that CBI rigorously follows cases of piling of Non-performing Assets in public sector banks even though banks were reluctant to initiate a probe in these cases fearing loss of possible middle path which can be arrived at through discussions with defaulters.
An alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University where he studied during the first decade of its inception, Sinha follows his interests in psychology and economics and loves to spend a quiet time with his family.
Before relinquishing the charge, Sinha in an informal interaction with mediapersons said his team of officers performed exceedingly well.
He said he owned any shortcoming which might have been felt in the working of the agency but gave the credit for success to his team of officers who worked hard.
"Anti-corruption endeavours have increased during the last two years which should be a deterrent to corrupt people," Sinha said.
