Rakesh Asthana named interim CBI director

Central Bureau of Investigation's Additional Director Rakesh Asthana was named as the agency's interim director replacing incumbent Anil Sinha whose tenure ended on Friday, an official statement said.

"The competent authority has approved assignment of additional charge of the post of Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to Rakesh Asthana, IPS, Additional Director, CBI, with effect from the date of relinquishment of charge by Anil Kumar Sinha, IPS, on completion of his tenure with immediate effect and until further orders," said an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel and Training.

Asthana, a 1984 Gujarat cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was appointed as CBI Additional Director General in April.

A key investigator in the multi-crore-rupee fodder scam, Asthana, as Superintendent of Police, CBI in Dhanbad, had arrested then Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad in 1997.

Asthana, who had been the Commissioner of Police in Vadodara and Surat in Gujarat, also headed a special investigation team (SIT) that probed the burning of Sabarmati Express train in which 59 people were burnt to death near Godhra railway station in February 2002.

He also headed an SIT probing the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal and the alleged loan fraud by former liquor baron Vijay Mallya.

--IANS

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