Newly-appointed CBI chief Anil Kumar Sinha Wednesday said he was "acutely aware" of the challenges the agency faces and was committed to preserve its integrity.
Speaking at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters here shortly after taking over as the new chief, Sinha said: "I am acutely aware of all the challenges... We are committed to reserve the integrity of the agency."
"I seek cooperation from one and all," he added.
A 1979-batch Indian Police Services (IPS) officer of Bihar cadre, Sinha replaces Ranjit Sinha who had a controversial tenure as the head of the premier investigative agency.
The Bihar cadre IPS officer’s appointment came within hours of a meeting of a panel comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and the CJI.
The committee had short-listed the names of two 1979 batch police officers, Sinha and National Investigation Agency chief Sharad Kumar, to lead the premier agency. Modi later picked Sinha’s name and ordered his appointment.
As reported by HT on Tuesday, the government had discovered at the last minute that the high-powered panel did not really have the power to select the next director. Instead, it could only recommend a panel of officers.
This provision complicated the selection process, leading to procedural delays in Sinha’s appointment orders issued late Tuesday.
{{/usCountry}}This provision complicated the selection process, leading to procedural delays in Sinha’s appointment orders issued late Tuesday.
{{/usCountry}}Government sources said Sinha was the natural choice, given his wide experience in fighting corruption.