PMO backs CBI official for top job

PMO backs CBI official for top job
AJAY SURI

NEW DELHI, DEC 21: The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has decided to back P C Sharma, Special Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), for the top job in the investigating agency. His name has been cleared, sources said on Thursday, though as per the Supreme Court's ruling, the final decision will be taken collectively by the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the leader of the Opposition in Parliament.

Though the present CBI Director, R K Raghavan, is four months away from retirement, the process of selecting his successor will begin soon to complete the mandatory formalities, it is reliably learnt.

The PMO's underlining of its choice at this stage will only hot up the race for the top job in the CBI, considered one of the most influential in political and Government circles. Two other persons believed to be in the reckoning are the Commissioner of Delhi Police, Ajay Raj Sharma, and Andhra Pradesh's Director General of Police (DGP), H J Dora.

Sharma, in fact, was tipped to be the Director-General of Border Security Force (BSF) after the retirement of E N Rammohan last month. But Gurbachan Jagat, DGP of J&K, shot past him at the last minute to head the paramilitary force. Sharma is believed to have the blessings of the Home Ministry.

The case of Andhra's DGP, it is learnt, is being pushed by the Telugu Desam Party. But the PMO, say sources, is not likely to yield any ground after deciding on P C Sharma.

Sharma, a 1965 batch IPS officer of Assam cadre, has a vast experience of investigation within the CBI. Currently, he's in-charge of administration and investigation in the CBI.

Incidentally, if appointed, Sharma will have 23 months to serve the CBI before his retirement whereas according to the Supreme Court directive he must be retained for at least two years. Sources, however, described it as a ``small hitch'' as the Prime Minister is empowered to extend the tenure even after retirement. V S Mathur, after getting superannuated, was appointed Vigilance Commissioner.