Government Extends CBI Chief's Tenure Amid Legislative Changes

The Indian government has extended CBI Director Praveen Sood's tenure by one year. This follows a new law enabling up to a five-year extension for the agency's chief. The decision, endorsed by the Prime Minister and other officials, highlights a shift in governance policy for the CBI.

The Indian government has decided to extend the tenure of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Praveen Sood by one year, marking the first such extension following recent legislative changes allowing for a broader tenure.

The decision was made during a meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. This move underscores a new legal provision permitting the extension of a CBI chief's tenure in the interest of public service.

Sood, an IPS officer from Karnataka, was initially appointed for a two-year term in May 2023. The recent decision comes in light of the 2021 amendment to the DSPE Act, allowing the federal agency's director to serve up to five years in total. This legislative change is part of a broader governance strategy to enhance continuity in leadership roles within key national agencies.

(With inputs from agencies.)