The central government has approved a one-year extension for CBI Director Praveen Sood, following a meeting of the high-powered committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The decision was taken on Friday, according to official sources.
Committee Decision
The selection committee, which includes Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, met to discuss the extension. The committee's recommendation was forwarded to the government, which subsequently issued the order extending Sood's tenure beyond his superannuation date of July 14.
Background
Praveen Sood, a 1986-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Karnataka cadre, was appointed as CBI Director in May 2023 for a fixed two-year term. His tenure was set to end in July 2025, but the government has now granted a one-year extension, citing administrative exigencies and ongoing investigations.
The high-powered committee, constituted under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, is responsible for selecting and recommending the CBI Director. The meeting, which lasted over an hour, deliberated on the extension and concluded that Sood's continued leadership was necessary for the agency's smooth functioning.
Reactions
The extension has drawn mixed reactions. While the government maintains that the decision was based on merit and the need for stability in the investigative agency, opposition parties have criticized the move, alleging that it undermines the independence of the CBI. However, the committee's decision was taken with due consideration of all factors.
With this extension, Praveen Sood will continue to lead the CBI until July 2026, overseeing critical probes including high-profile corruption cases and national security matters.
