NEW DELHI — Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has formally recorded his dissent against the selection process for the next CBI Director during a high-powered committee meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The panel, which includes Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, met to discuss a successor for the incumbent director, Praveen Sood, whose tenure concludes on May 24.
Allegations of Institutional Capture
In a two-page dissent note, Gandhi criticized the proceedings as a “biased exercise” and accused the government of reducing the constitutional process to a mere formality:
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Lack of Information: Gandhi alleged he was denied access to crucial documents, such as self-appraisal reports and 360-degree reports, for the 69 eligible candidates.
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“Rubber Stamp” Rejection: He stated that the Leader of Opposition cannot act as a “rubber stamp” and that the deliberate denial of information ensures only a “pre-decided candidate” is selected.
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Misuse of Agency: The LoP accused the government of misusing the CBI to target political opponents, journalists, and critics.
Candidates Under Consideration
Despite the lack of an official announcement, several senior IPS officers are understood to be under consideration for the top post:
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Parag Jain
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Shatrujeet Kapoor
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Yogesh Gupta
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G P Singh
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Praveer Ranjan
The meeting at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg lasted over an hour, and a final decision on the appointment is expected to be announced shortly.
