Subodh Jaiswal Appointed New CBI Chief: How CJI Played a Key Role

Jaiswal, who has been serving as the Director-General of the CISF, has been appointed for a period of two years.

Subodh Kumar Jaiswal had been serving as the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force.

(Photo Courtesy: CISF)

Subodh Kumar Jaiswal on Tuesday, 25 May, was named the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), an appointment in which Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramanna is said to have played a key role.

Jaiswal, who has been serving as the Director-General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), has been appointed for a period of two years.

“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has, based on the panel recommended by the Committee, approved the appointment of Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS (MH: 1985) as Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of two years from the date of assumption of charge of the office or until further orders whichever is earlier,” the Personnel Ministry order dated Tuesday, 25 May, said.

How CJI’s Role Led to Ruling Out 2 Key Frontrunners

A meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, and Opposition leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was held at the PM’s residence on Monday, 24 May.

According to The Indian Express (IE), the two other names that were also being considered were IPS officers of the 1984 batch – YC Modi of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre and Rakesh Asthana of the Gujarat cadre.

However, they were ruled out after CJI Ramana reminded the panel of the 2019 Supreme Court guidelines on the appointment of police chiefs, which made it clear that no officer with less than six months to retirement should be appointed a state police chief, IE reported.

While NIA Chief YC Modi retires at the end of this month, Asthana, is slated to retire in July.

Asthana had found himself in a controversy in 2018 after former CBI Director Alok Verma had accused him of corruption. After investigation, he was given a clean chit by the CBI in February 2020.

Who Is Subodh Kumar Jaiswal?

A 1985-batch officer of the Maharashtra cadre, Jaiswal has earlier served as the Director General of Police (DGP), Maharashtra, and the Mumbai Police commissioner.

He has served with Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and also investigated the Telgi scam. His stints also include one with the Research and Analysis Wing (RA&W) for nine years, as well as with the Special Protection Group (SPG).

His name was among the three that were shortlisted for the post of CBI chief, the other two being of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) DG Kumar Rajesh Chandra and Special Secretary, Internal Security, in the Union Home Ministry, VSK Kaumundi.

A meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, and Opposition leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was held at the PM’s residence to deliberate upon the appointment of the next CBI chief on Monday. The post had been vacant since February.