Govt Orders Extension of R&AW, IB Chiefs’ Tenures by Six Months

R&AW Chief AK Dhasmana and Intelligence Bureau chief Rajiv Jain were both set to retire on 29 & 30 December.

(Left to Right): R&AW Chief AK Dhasmana and IB Chief Rajiv Jain.

(Photo: Erum Gour/The Quint)

The tenures of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) Chief AK Dhasmana and Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Rajiv Jain were extended by six months on Friday, 14 December, reported PTI quoting a government order.

Dhasmana’s tenure was to end on 29 December, while Jain was set to retire on 30 December.

Speaking to PTI, an official said that the decision was taken due to the forthcoming general election and the centre wanted a new government to take a decision on these key posts.

Who Is AK Dhasmana?

A 1981-batch officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, Dhasmana has been with R&AW for the past 23 years, during which he served in important areas, including the Pakistan Desk.

Dhasmana took over the reins of R&AW, tasked with gathering external intelligence. According to media reports, the central government was earlier expected to appoint the chiefs of both agencies by mid-December.

Who Is Rajiv Jain?

Rajiv Jain, a 1980-batch IPS officer from Jharkhand, was appointed as IB Director on 30 December 2016 for a period of two years.

A recipient of the President's Police Medal, Jain has served in various departments of the IB, including the sensitive Kashmir Desk. He was advisor to the previous NDA government's interlocutor on Kashmir, KC Pant, when talks were held with separatist leaders like Shabbir Shah.

Who Were in the Running for the Two Posts?

Samant Goel, a 1984-batch IPS officer from the Punjab cadre, along with K Ilango from the J&K cadre were considered front runners for the post of the R&AW chief, reported The Telegraph on 29 November.

However, Goel’s name surfaced in the ongoing power tussle within the CBI, where the investigating agency alleged that Goel tried to dilute the Moin Qureshi corruption probe with the help of alleged middlemen Manoj and Somesh Prasad.

According to the agency, they have also intercepted a telephone conversation that hints at a link between Goel and Manoj and Somesh Prasad.

The daily also reported that Arvind Kumar, a 1984-batch Bihar cadre officer along with MP Police Chief RK Shukla was being considered for the post of IB chief.

(With inputs from The Telegraph.)