New Delhi, July 31
Ashwani Kumar, a 1973 batch Himachal Pradesh cadre Indian Police Service officer, was today appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, the nation’s premier investigation agency. He replaces Vijay Shankar, who superannuated today after more than two years and seven months at the top post.
Ashwani Kumar, the DGP of Himachal Pradesh, emerged as the front runner as he had served as the joint director and also additional director of the CBI between 2000 and 2006.
Notably during his earlier stint in the CBI, he handled the much-talked about secret operation to arrest underworld don Abu Salem and his girlfriend Bollywood-starlet Monica Bedi in Portugal and the subsequent extradition of Salem to India.
The CBI had earned huge
accolades for the arrest of Salem as he had lived in hiding for long and was one of the key players. The appointment is for a period of two years as the CBI director enjoys a fixed tenure.
Since Ashwani Kumar has two years and six months to retire he will not be getting an extension in service and will complete his two-year period within his normal length of service. Ashwani Kumar has also served as the IG, Vigilance, in Himachal Pradesh. It is for the first time that an officer form the Himachal Pradesh Cadre will hold one of the top posts in the country.
When contacted at his home in Shimla, Ashwani Kumar refused
to comment.
He was selected ahead of present special director, CBI, M.L. Sharma, a Rajasthan cadre officer of the 1972 batch. Sharma has long served in the CBI and was thought to be a top contender.
Sources said since Sharma was senior to Ashwani Kumar he may be slotted elsewhere on some other senior post.
This evening, Vijay Shanker retired and the government had not issued any order about his successor or to whom the charge should be handed over.
Shanker informed the Department of Personnel and Training, this evening that he was relinquishing his charge as he could not continue in the post beyond the office hours, said the sources.
He handed over the charge to M.L. Sharma as the CBI could not have remained without a chief.
