Neeraj Kumar was not available for comments but his lawyer confirmed the move. "The matter is listed for hearing on November 23. I cannot disclose anything more at the moment," Kumar's counsel Kirtiman Singh said.
The panel of officers is selected by a committee headed by the central vigilance commissioner. Outgoing CBI director is also invited to the meeting but can only recommend the name of an officer as his successor. Once the committee gives its recommendation, final call is taken by the cabinet committee on appointments.
According to sources, the selection panel recommended names of three IPS officers -Ranjit Sinha (ITBP director general), SC Sinha (NIA director general) and Atul Gupta (a director general-rank officer of UP cadre) for the post of CBI director. The panel overlooked Kumar and CBI special director VK Gupta.