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, reduced his constitutional role to that of a “rubber stamp”, and amounted to a “mockery” that ensures only a “pre-decided candidate” is selected.
Gandhi added that he cannot participate in the “biased exercise” and abdicate his constitutional duty.
The CBI director is appointed by a Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of Opposition. The selection panel met in New Delhi on Tuesday. Gandhi said he was denied key documents required for an informed decision.
“The 360-degree reports were denied to me outright. A detailed review of these records is crucial to assess each candidate’s history and performance. This deliberate denial of information, without any legal basis, makes a mockery of the selection process and ensures that only your pre-decided candidate is selected,” Gandhi’s dissent note said.
He added that he was given details of 69 candidates only during the meeting, despite repeated requests for prior access to self-appraisal and performance reports. Gandhi said he could not be reduced to a “rubber stamp” in the process.
“The leader of opposition is not a rubber stamp. I cannot abdicate my constitutional duty by participating in this biased exercise,” he said.
Gandhi also alleged repeated misuse of the CBI by the government and said his role in the committee was meant to prevent institutional capture.
New CBI chief expected soon
Meanwhile, the meeting lasted over an hour but there was no official word on the discussions, India Today reported. The decision on the next CBI director is likely to be announced soon, it added.
Sources said several senior IPS officers are under consideration, including Parag Jain, Shatrujeet Kapoor, Yogesh Gupta, G P Singh and Praveer Ranjan.
The development comes at a time when the premier investigating agency is handling several high-profile and politically sensitive cases.
(With inputs from agencies)
