Anil Kumar Sinha takes over as new CBI Chief

Anil Kumar Sinha, a 1979-batch IPS officer, today took over the reins of CBI at a time when the agency is facing criticism from courts over its handling of probe in coal allocation and 2G scams.

58-year old Sinha, who has experience of 21 months with CBI as Special Director and supervised the Saradha chit fund probe, has a tough task cut out for him to restore the credibility of the agency which has drawn flak from various courts, including the Supreme Court which had once called it a "caged parrot".

He is the third consecutive chief of the agency from Bihar following Ranjit Sinha and A P Singh.

A student of prestigious Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University, the soft-spoken Sinha explained his priorities to media saying, "there is no challenge which is small or big.... The challenges are an opportunity to do good."

"I accept the responsibility to head the premier investigation agency with deep humility. I am aware of the challenge facing the CBI and would endeavour to work with my team to strengthen the cause of justice and reiterate our commitment to the values enshrined in the motto of the organisation i.E. Industry, impartiality and integrity," he said in a brief statement.

A post-graduate in psychology, Sinha's name was agreed upon during a meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India H L Dattu and leader of Congress Mallikarjuna Kharge which is the first such meeting to select CBI Chief after the Lokpal Act came into being.

Sinha has served in several important positions including in anti-corruption and vigilance wing in Bihar before joining as Additional Secretary in the Central Vigilance Commission.

He joined CBI in May 2013 where he supervised Saradha chit scam probe among other major cases. He was awarded a Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2000 and the President's Police Medal for distinguished service in 2006.