Who Will Be the Next CBI Director? Rahul Gandhi, CJI Join PM at PMO for Crucial Security Talks

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rahul Gandhi and Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna participated in a crucial meeting at the PMO.
- The selection of the next CBI Director is pivotal for the agency's future.
- Concerns over a recent terror attack add urgency to the discussions.
- Military preparedness is also on the agenda amid rising tensions with Pakistan.
- The meeting highlights a collaborative approach to governance.
New Delhi, May 5 (NationPress) In a pivotal gathering at the Prime Minister's Office located in South Block, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna convened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to engage in the selection process for the forthcoming Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The incumbent CBI chief, Praveen Sood, a 1986-batch IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre, is anticipated to retire this month. According to established procedures, the next CBI Director's appointment is determined by a three-member committee composed of the Prime Minister, who leads the panel, the Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. This meeting is deemed vital for shaping the future of the country's premier investigative agency.
While the primary focus of the meeting was the new CBI chief's selection, sources suggest that Rahul Gandhi is also expected to receive updates on the government’s internal discussions regarding its response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in 26 civilian fatalities.
The presence of Congress leader Gandhi at the PMO, reportedly alongside Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and senior military officials, is seen as a significant development, especially given the rising tensions with Pakistan. Notably, the Defence Secretary had previously met with the PM to discuss military readiness.
Compounding the urgency, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh met with Prime Minister Modi on Sunday at the PM’s official residence, 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Their 45-minute closed-door discussion revolved around strategic and operational options available to India’s air force. This marked the second high-level engagement between the PM and military leadership within just 24 hours.
On Saturday, PM Modi had also met Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, as part of a comprehensive review of India’s defence readiness and maritime security.
Sources indicate that the government is exploring multiple calibrated responses and has instructed the armed forces to maintain readiness across all fronts.