Ashwani Kumar appointed new CBI director

Ashwani Kumar, a 1973 batch Indian Police Service officer, had earlier served in the premier investigating agency for nearly a decade as Joint Director (Policy), reports HT Correspondent.

Ashwani Kumar, the Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, was on Thursday appointed the Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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The decision was announced by the government late on Friday and came hours after Vijay Shanker had relinquished the charge as head of the CBI

Kumar, a 1973 batch Indian Police Service officer, had earlier served in the premier investigating agency for nearly a decade as Joint Director (Policy).

Kumar, M.L. Sharma — a 1972-batch officer presently holding the charge of special director, CBI — and Karnataka Police Chief R. Srikumar were in the running for the top job.

Kumar had also served as joint director (north) and additional director (anti-corruption). Besides, he had a stint in the Special Protection Group. Kumar is the recipient of President’s Police medal for meritorious and distinguished services. Senior CBI officials said Kumar is likely to officially take charge as CBI director on Friday.

Meanwhile, M.L. Sharma is likely to be shifted out of the CBI. It remains to be seen where the government posts him.