The high-powered selection committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi nominated Praveen Sood as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a two-year term on Sunday.&nbsp;Sood, a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was appointed Karnataka DGP in January 2020, succeeding Ashit Mohan Prasad, a 1985-batch IPS officer.

Nila Mohanan, director of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), stated in an order:&nbsp;“Approval of the Competent Authority, is hereby conveyed to the appointment of Praveen Sood, IPS-86 batch, as Director, CBI for a period of two years from the date of assumption of charge of the office vice Subhodh Kumar Jaiswal, consequent upon completion of his tenure.”

Sood graduated from IIT Delhi and began his career as an assistant superintendent of police (Mysore) in 1989. He then served as the SP of Bellary and Raichur before being transferred to Bengaluru as the deputy commissioner of police (law and order). In 1999, he accepted a three-year overseas deputation as a police advisor to the Government of Mauritius, where he worked closely with European and American police, as reported by The Indian Express.

Sood has a blog and said that in 2003, he took a break to pursue post-graduation in public policy and management from the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore and the Maxwell School of Governance at Syracuse University in New York.

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“He was posted as Commissioner of Police of Mysore city from 2004 to 2007. He was also instrumental in the arrest of Pakistan-origin terrorists during his stint in Mysore. He has been decorated with Chief Minister’s Gold Medal for excellence in service in 1996, Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2002 and President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2011. Besides he is recipient of Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in the year 2006 for his contribution towards road safety &amp; traffic management and national E-Governance Gold Award for ‘Most innovative use of technology for Traffic Management’ in the year 2011,” according to Sood’s blog.

He also served as the Home Department's senior secretary, the Karnataka State Reserve Police's additional director general, and the Administration's additional director general of police.

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As Bengaluru's commissioner of police, he established the 'Namma 100' - a 'Emergency Response System' for residents in trouble.

It provides 100 lines managed by multilingual "Communication Officers" 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the help of 276 Emergency Response Vehicles (Hoysala) scattered across Bengaluru City. He was also responsible in the establishment of the 'Suraksha' App and the 'Pink Hoyasala' run by female officers, which were designed specifically for women and children in distress.

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The high-powered selection committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi nominated Praveen Sood as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a two-year term on Sunday.

The high-powered selection committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi nominated Praveen Sood as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a two-year term on Sunday. Sood, a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was appointed Karnataka DGP in January 2020, succeeding Ashit Mohan Prasad, a 1985-batch IPS officer. Nila Mohanan, director of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), stated in an order: “Approval of the Competent Authority, is hereby conveyed to the appointment of Praveen Sood, IPS-86 batch, as Director, CBI for a period of two years from the date of assumption of charge of the office vice Subhodh Kumar Jaiswal, consequent upon completion of his tenure.” Sood graduated from IIT Delhi and began his career as an assistant superintendent of police (Mysore) in 1989. He then served as the SP of Bellary and Raichur before being transferred to Bengaluru as the deputy commissioner of police (law and order). In 1999, he accepted a three-year overseas deputation as a police advisor to the Government of Mauritius, where he worked closely with European and American police, as reported by The Indian Express. Sood has a blog and said that in 2003, he took a break to pursue post-graduation in public policy and management from the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore and the Maxwell School of Governance at Syracuse University in New York. ALSO READ | In India's biggest drug bust, crystal meth worth $1.45bn seized from Kerala coast, Pakistani held “He was posted as Commissioner of Police of Mysore city from 2004 to 2007. He was also instrumental in the arrest of Pakistan-origin terrorists during his stint in Mysore. He has been decorated with Chief Minister’s Gold Medal for excellence in service in 1996, Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2002 and President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2011. Besides he is recipient of Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in the year 2006 for his contribution towards road safety & traffic management and national E-Governance Gold Award for ‘Most innovative use of technology for Traffic Management’ in the year 2011,” according to Sood’s blog. He also served as the Home Department's senior secretary, the Karnataka State Reserve Police's additional director general, and the Administration's additional director general of police. ALSO WATCH | 6th Indian Ocean Conference: Bhutan's Foreign Minister thanks Indian govt for support during Covid As Bengaluru's commissioner of police, he established the 'Namma 100' - a 'Emergency Response System' for residents in trouble. It provides 100 lines managed by multilingual "Communication Officers" 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the help of 276 Emergency Response Vehicles (Hoysala) scattered across Bengaluru City. He was also responsible in the establishment of the 'Suraksha' App and the 'Pink Hoyasala' run by female officers, which were designed specifically for women and children in distress. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Who is Praveen Sood? IPS officer, now chief of India's probe agency CBI

The CBI will approach the Supreme Court against the wrongful detention of their officers outside <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-sits-on-dharna-after-cbi-kolkata-police-face-off-194890">Kolkata Commissioner Rajeev Kumar</a>'s residence on Sunday, said the central agency interim chief M Nageswara Rao.

A full-blown face-off between West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee government and the Centre erupted as a CBI team moved to arrest Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, which in turn were unceremoniously denied entry to Kolkata Police chief`s residence and then detained.

Escalating her confrontation with the Centre, Banerjee also started a sit-in to protest, in what her Trinamool Congress party called a "coup" by the Modi government. She was seen sitting on her `Save the Constitution` dharna at Metro Channel in Kolkata, in Rajeev Kumar was also present.

Rao also alleged that there was proof against that he hampered evidence in the chit fund scam.

"We are contacting our senior law officers about the Kolkata incident. Whatever they suggest will be followed. We are investigating these chit fund cases as per the directions of the Supreme Court. A SIT has been constituted by the West Bengal government prior to Supreme Court's direction under the chairmanship of Rajeev Kumar, who is currently the Kolkata police commissioner," he told ANI.

"They have taken charge of all the evidence, seized all the documents. They have not been cooperating with us in handing over all the documents and a lot of evidence has been destroyed or caused to disappear," Rao added.

All the five CBI officers who were detained by police at Shakespeare Sarani police station in Kolkata have been released.

Rajeev Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre was heading a SIT on the Saradha and Rose Valley scams. The CBI wanted the top officer to hand over the seizure list made during his probe, sources said.

Reportedly, the top cop was to be questioned regarding missing documents and files but he is not responding to notices to appear before the agency.

Rajeev Kumar, according to media reports, became apprehensive of his arrest after Bengali film producer Shrikant Mohita was taken into custody.&nbsp;

The CBI will approach the Supreme Court against the wrongful detention of their officers outside Kolkata Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's residence on Sunday, said the central agency interim chief M Nageswara Rao.

The CBI will approach the Supreme Court against the wrongful detention of their officers outside Kolkata Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's residence on Sunday, said the central agency interim chief M Nageswara Rao. A full-blown face-off between West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee government and the Centre erupted as a CBI team moved to arrest Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, which in turn were unceremoniously denied entry to Kolkata Police chief`s residence and then detained. Escalating her confrontation with the Centre, Banerjee also started a sit-in to protest, in what her Trinamool Congress party called a "coup" by the Modi government. She was seen sitting on her `Save the Constitution` dharna at Metro Channel in Kolkata, in Rajeev Kumar was also present. Rao also alleged that there was proof against that he hampered evidence in the chit fund scam. "We are contacting our senior law officers about the Kolkata incident. Whatever they suggest will be followed. We are investigating these chit fund cases as per the directions of the Supreme Court. A SIT has been constituted by the West Bengal government prior to Supreme Court's direction under the chairmanship of Rajeev Kumar, who is currently the Kolkata police commissioner," he told ANI. "They have taken charge of all the evidence, seized all the documents. They have not been cooperating with us in handing over all the documents and a lot of evidence has been destroyed or caused to disappear," Rao added. All the five CBI officers who were detained by police at Shakespeare Sarani police station in Kolkata have been released. Rajeev Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre was heading a SIT on the Saradha and Rose Valley scams. The CBI wanted the top officer to hand over the seizure list made during his probe, sources said. Reportedly, the top cop was to be questioned regarding missing documents and files but he is not responding to notices to appear before the agency. Rajeev Kumar, according to media reports, became apprehensive of his arrest after Bengali film producer Shrikant Mohita was taken into custody.

CBI to move Supreme Court against detention of agency officials by Mamata government

The Centre is likely to announce the name of next CBI chief soon, ignoring the objections raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, on the names of probable contenders proposed by the government, officials said.

During the second meeting of the committee on Friday, the government is understood to have put forth a few names of officers who could be considered for appointment as the CBI director, they said.

However, these names were objected to by Kharge, who is part of the three-member committee, the officials said.

Senior IPS officers of 1984 batch, Javeed Ahmed, Rajni Kant Misra and S S Deswal, are said to be among the top contenders for the coveted post.

Ahmed, an officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, is at present the chief of National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences here.

Ahmed's cadre and batchmate Misra is head of the Border Security Force (BSF).

Deswal, who is from Haryana cadre, is the director general of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

"The meeting was inconclusive. No decision could be taken during the meeting," a senior government official said, without citing further details on the selection committee's meeting held here.

The development assumes significance as earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said it was "averse" to the arrangement of an interim CBI director and the Centre should "immediately" appoint a regular chief of the probe agency.

The post of CBI director is "sensitive" and "important", and it is not good to keep an interim director of the agency for a longer period, the top court observed and sought to know as to why the government has not made the appointment yet.

The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges.

Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption.

M Nageswara Rao has been working as the interim CBI chief after Verma's ouster.

Friday's meeting was held at the prime minister's residence -- that lasted for over an hour -- and attended by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Kharge. 
The panel's January 24 meeting had also remained inconclusive.

A list of eligible officers along with their dossiers was shared with the panel members in the last meeting.

"The government presented names of 70-80 officers. There was no mention of their career details including relevant experience. We (referring to CJI Gogoi) have asked them to provide all the necessary details. The next meeting will be convened maybe by next week," Kharge had told reporters after the January 24 meeting.

Verma, after being removed from the post of CBI director by the PM-led panel, was named as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards -- a less significant portfolio.

Verma did not accept the offer and wrote to the government, saying he should be considered as deemed superannuated as he has completed 60 years age of superannuation on July 31, 2017.

He had taken over as the CBI chief on February 1, 2017, for a fixed two-year tenure that ended Thursday.

The Centre is likely to announce the name of next CBI chief soon, ignoring the objections raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, on the names of probable contenders proposed by the government, officials said.

The Centre is likely to announce the name of next CBI chief soon, ignoring the objections raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, on the names of probable contenders proposed by the government, officials said. During the second meeting of the committee on Friday, the government is understood to have put forth a few names of officers who could be considered for appointment as the CBI director, they said. However, these names were objected to by Kharge, who is part of the three-member committee, the officials said. Senior IPS officers of 1984 batch, Javeed Ahmed, Rajni Kant Misra and S S Deswal, are said to be among the top contenders for the coveted post. Ahmed, an officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, is at present the chief of National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences here. Ahmed's cadre and batchmate Misra is head of the Border Security Force (BSF). Deswal, who is from Haryana cadre, is the director general of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). "The meeting was inconclusive. No decision could be taken during the meeting," a senior government official said, without citing further details on the selection committee's meeting held here. The development assumes significance as earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said it was "averse" to the arrangement of an interim CBI director and the Centre should "immediately" appoint a regular chief of the probe agency. The post of CBI director is "sensitive" and "important", and it is not good to keep an interim director of the agency for a longer period, the top court observed and sought to know as to why the government has not made the appointment yet. The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges. Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption. M Nageswara Rao has been working as the interim CBI chief after Verma's ouster. Friday's meeting was held at the prime minister's residence -- that lasted for over an hour -- and attended by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Kharge. The panel's January 24 meeting had also remained inconclusive. A list of eligible officers along with their dossiers was shared with the panel members in the last meeting. "The government presented names of 70-80 officers. There was no mention of their career details including relevant experience. We (referring to CJI Gogoi) have asked them to provide all the necessary details. The next meeting will be convened maybe by next week," Kharge had told reporters after the January 24 meeting. Verma, after being removed from the post of CBI director by the PM-led panel, was named as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards -- a less significant portfolio. Verma did not accept the offer and wrote to the government, saying he should be considered as deemed superannuated as he has completed 60 years age of superannuation on July 31, 2017. He had taken over as the CBI chief on February 1, 2017, for a fixed two-year tenure that ended Thursday.

Ignoring Congress objection, government to announce new CBI director soon

The Supreme Court Friday termed as "pre-mature" the issue related to transparency in the selection process for appointing CBI Director in the future, saying the endeavour at present is to ensure that a regular chief of the agency is seated "immediately".

The apex court said it cannot lay down general guidelines on transparency in the selection process at this stage as it was seized with the issue of appointment of a regular CBI director.

It said the issue of transparency in the appointment process can be raised if fresh cause of action crops up pointing to the alleged violation in future appointment.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Navin Sinha said this while hearing a petition filed by NGO Common Cause challenging the Centre's decision to appoint M Nageswara Rao as an interim CBI director.&nbsp;

"You want an immediate appointment. Let us stop there. Let the appointment be made first. If you have any grievance that the process is not followed and transparency was not there then you can challenge it later," the bench told lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who was appearing for the NGO.

"We cannot lay down general guidelines at this stage. When you will challenge it in future, we will consider it. Unless there is a concrete cause of action, we cannot interfere in an administrative action," the bench said.

The court's observation came after Bhushan argued that the court must deal with issue of transparency in the process to appoint CBI director.

Bhushan said he was not saying that appointment of a new CBI director should be delayed but he was on the aspect of transparency in the selection process in future.

"For future, the issue of transparency in the process should be kept open," he said.

To this, the bench told Bhushan, "You can file a petition in future on this. This issue is pre-mature at this stage".

Bhushan then referred to earlier judgements of the apex court on the issue of transparency in such appointments.

The bench referred to the 1997 judgement in Vineet Narain case, in which the top court had fixed a tenure of a minimum of two years for the CBI director to allow the officer to work independently.

Justice Mishra said that judgement delivered by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on January 8 in the CBI matter also dealt with this issue and Vineet Narain verdict was quoted in it.

"We will ensure the appointment of a regular director. As for transparency, if there is any lacunae, you will have the option of future litigation," the bench told Bhushan.

"When can I raise this issue? There are so many verdicts that transparency must be there," Bhushan said, adding, "You should lay down that these are the minimum norms that must be followed in appointing the CBI director".

"Vineet Narain is not on transparency. It speaks of independence and the high-powered selection committee," he said.

However, Attorney General K K Venugopal told the court that the high-powered committee headed by the Prime Minister would hold a meeting on Friday to select new CBI director.&nbsp;

The last meeting of the committee took place on January 24 but it remained "inconclusive".

The Selection Committee comprises the Prime Minister, the leader of the largest Opposition party and the Chief Justice of India or his nominee judge of the apex court.

Taking account of Venugopal's submissions, the bench posted the matter for hearing on February 6.

Earlier, three judges of the apex court -- CJI Gogoi and Justices A K Sikri and N V Ramana -- had recused themselves from hearing the petition.

In its petition in the apex court, the NGO has sought specific mechanisms to ensure transparency in the process of appointing the CBI director.

It has alleged that Rao's appointment was not made on the basis of the recommendations of the Selection Committee.

The plea alleged that the government order of October 23 last year, appointing Rao as interim CBI director, was quashed by the top court on January 8 but the Centre "acted in a completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner" to appoint him again in "complete contravention" of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court Friday termed as "pre-mature" the issue related to transparency in the selection process for appointing CBI Director in the future, saying the endeavour at present is to ensure that a regular chief of the agency is seated "immediately".

The Supreme Court Friday termed as "pre-mature" the issue related to transparency in the selection process for appointing CBI Director in the future, saying the endeavour at present is to ensure that a regular chief of the agency is seated "immediately". The apex court said it cannot lay down general guidelines on transparency in the selection process at this stage as it was seized with the issue of appointment of a regular CBI director. It said the issue of transparency in the appointment process can be raised if fresh cause of action crops up pointing to the alleged violation in future appointment. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Navin Sinha said this while hearing a petition filed by NGO Common Cause challenging the Centre's decision to appoint M Nageswara Rao as an interim CBI director. "You want an immediate appointment. Let us stop there. Let the appointment be made first. If you have any grievance that the process is not followed and transparency was not there then you can challenge it later," the bench told lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who was appearing for the NGO. "We cannot lay down general guidelines at this stage. When you will challenge it in future, we will consider it. Unless there is a concrete cause of action, we cannot interfere in an administrative action," the bench said. The court's observation came after Bhushan argued that the court must deal with issue of transparency in the process to appoint CBI director. Bhushan said he was not saying that appointment of a new CBI director should be delayed but he was on the aspect of transparency in the selection process in future. "For future, the issue of transparency in the process should be kept open," he said. To this, the bench told Bhushan, "You can file a petition in future on this. This issue is pre-mature at this stage". Bhushan then referred to earlier judgements of the apex court on the issue of transparency in such appointments. The bench referred to the 1997 judgement in Vineet Narain case, in which the top court had fixed a tenure of a minimum of two years for the CBI director to allow the officer to work independently. Justice Mishra said that judgement delivered by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on January 8 in the CBI matter also dealt with this issue and Vineet Narain verdict was quoted in it. "We will ensure the appointment of a regular director. As for transparency, if there is any lacunae, you will have the option of future litigation," the bench told Bhushan. "When can I raise this issue? There are so many verdicts that transparency must be there," Bhushan said, adding, "You should lay down that these are the minimum norms that must be followed in appointing the CBI director". "Vineet Narain is not on transparency. It speaks of independence and the high-powered selection committee," he said. However, Attorney General K K Venugopal told the court that the high-powered committee headed by the Prime Minister would hold a meeting on Friday to select new CBI director. The last meeting of the committee took place on January 24 but it remained "inconclusive". The Selection Committee comprises the Prime Minister, the leader of the largest Opposition party and the Chief Justice of India or his nominee judge of the apex court. Taking account of Venugopal's submissions, the bench posted the matter for hearing on February 6. Earlier, three judges of the apex court -- CJI Gogoi and Justices A K Sikri and N V Ramana -- had recused themselves from hearing the petition. In its petition in the apex court, the NGO has sought specific mechanisms to ensure transparency in the process of appointing the CBI director. It has alleged that Rao's appointment was not made on the basis of the recommendations of the Selection Committee. The plea alleged that the government order of October 23 last year, appointing Rao as interim CBI director, was quashed by the top court on January 8 but the Centre "acted in a completely mala fide, arbitrary and illegal manner" to appoint him again in "complete contravention" of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.

Issue of transparency in CBI chief appointment 'pre-mature' at this stage, says Supreme Court

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India: Who is Praveen Sood? IPS officer, now chief of India's probe agency CBI

CBI to move Supreme Court against detention of agency officials by Mamata government

Ignoring Congress objection, government to announce new CBI director soon

Issue of transparency in CBI chief appointment 'pre-mature' at this stage, says Supreme Court