Rahul Gandhi submits dissent note on CBI chief selection: Mockery of process

A high-level meeting was held at the Prime Minister's residence and attended by PM Modi, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Gandhi to discuss potential successors to outgoing CBI Director Praveen Sood, whose tenure ends on May 24.

In Short

• High-level panel met at Prime Minister’s residence on Tuesday
• CJI Surya Kant joined Modi and Gandhi to select new CBI chief
• Praveen Sood’s tenure as CBI Director will end on May 24

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday submitted a dissent note to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the selection process for the next Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief, alleging that the exercise was biased and reduced his constitutional role to that of a “rubber stamp”.

Gandhi shared his dissent note on X and wrote, “I cannot abdicate my constitutional duty by participating in a biased exercise.”

A high-level meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s residence and attended by PM Modi, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Gandhi to discuss potential successors to CBI Director Praveen Sood, whose tenure ends on May 24.

'DENIED CRUCIAL INFORMATION'

In his note, the Congress MP accused the Modi government of misusing the CBI to target political opponents, journalists and critics. He also alleged that he was denied access to crucial information regarding the shortlisted candidates, calling it a “mockery of the process”.

“It is to prevent such institutional capture that the Leader of Opposition is included in the Selection Committee. Regrettably, you have continued to deny me any meaningful role in the process,” Gandhi wrote.

He further claimed that despite repeated written requests, he was not provided with the self-appraisal reports or 360-degree assessment reports of the eligible candidates. The Rae Bareli MP said he was expected to examine the appraisal records of 69 candidates for the first time during the meeting itself.

“A detailed review of these records is crucial to assess each candidate’s history and performance,” Gandhi wrote, alleging that the process had been structured to ensure the government’s preferred candidate was selected.

This was not the first time the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha had recorded his dissent over the selection process. Earlier, he had written to the Prime Minister on October 21 and May 5 last year, suggesting measures to ensure a fair and transparent procedure. However, Gandhi claimed in his latest dissent note that he did not receive any response to those suggestions.

NEW CBI CHIEF EXPECTED SOON

Meanwhile, the meeting lasted over an hour, sources said, but there was no official word on the discussions. The decision on the next CBI director is likely to be announced soon, they added.

The government appoints the CBI director on the recommendation of a Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of Opposition.

Sources indicated that several senior IPS officers from different states are being considered for the top post. Among the names under consideration are Parag Jain, Shatrujeet Kapoor, Yogesh Gupta, GP Singh and Praveer Ranjan.

The development comes at a time when the premier investigating agency is handling several high-profile and politically sensitive cases.

- Ends