PM Led Panel Meets To Finalise Next CBI Director, Rahul Gandhi Flags Biased Process

The high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on Tuesday to decide the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) , with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi recording a strong dissent over the selection process, alleging lack of transparency and calling it a “biased exercise”.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s official residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg , also included Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as a member of the selection panel. The discussion lasted for over an hour, though there was no official word on the outcome. The decision on the next CBI chief is expected to be announced soon, ahead of the retirement of incumbent Director Praveen Sood on May 24.

According to sources, several senior IPS officers are in contention for the top post, including Parag Jain, Shatrujeet Kapoor, Yogesh Gupta, G P Singh and Praveer Ranjan. The panel is mandated to finalise the appointment from a list of eligible senior officers.

During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi submitted a two page dissent note to the Prime Minister, stating that he could not participate in what he described as a predetermined and opaque process. He alleged that crucial documents, including self appraisal reports and 360 degree evaluation reports of candidates, were not shared with him in advance.

Gandhi said he was instead presented with records of 69 officers during the meeting itself, which he argued made meaningful scrutiny impossible. He asserted that the Leader of Opposition was not a “ rubber stamp ” and that participating under such conditions would amount to endorsing a biased exercise.

He also reiterated his long standing charge that central investigative agencies like the CBI were being misused to target political opponents, journalists and critics, and said his inclusion in the committee was meant to safeguard institutional integrity.

Sources said the meeting proceeded as scheduled despite the dissent, and the formal announcement of the new CBI Director is expected shortly