Meeting of collegium to decide new CBI chief remains inconclusive

NEW DELHI: The selection of the next chief of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) may not be restricted to the four batches of police service officers under consideration if the search committee does not find a compelling choice. The search panel that includes PM Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India J S Khehar and Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, met on Monday evening but there was no word of a decision being arrived at. Sources maintained the search panel and government is not prevented from looking at candidates beyond the 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982 batches of Indian Police Service officers under consideration. The guidelines for a wide talent search were set out by the Supreme Court but the government feels there is no restriction in expanding the base. If the committee decides to widen the search, CBI's acting director Rakesh Asthana could be in reckoning though he is from the more junior 1984 batch and this can increase the odds against his selection somewhat.