On December 2, 2016 Rakesh Asthana was named as interim Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director by the government. On the same day CBI Director Anil Sinha retired from the post. He handed over his post to his immediate deputy, Gujarat-cadre IPS Officer Rakesh Asthana. This time the government did not name any full-time chief.

A Gujarat-cadre officer of 1984-batch, Asthana got elevated as number two in CBI three days ago when special director R K Dutta, who was among the front runners for the top post, was shifted to the Home Ministry as a special secretary. The post of second special secretary was formed for the first time in the ministry. Another IPS officer from the Gujarat, Arun Kumar Sharma was made joint director of CBI in 2015.

Outgoing CBI Director Anil Sinha completed his two-year tenure on December 2. It is the first time in last 10 years that no new CBI chief has been named to succeed the current chief.

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"The Competent Authority has approved assignment of additional charge of the post of Director, CBI, to Shri Rakesh Asthana, IPS(GJ:84), Additional Director, CBI with effect from the date of relinquishment of charge by Shri Anil Kumar Sinha, IPS(BH:79) on completion of his tenure, with immediate effect and until further orders," an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training said.

The head of the CBI is selected by a group comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition or largest party in opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The group has not been able to meet.

Read: Gujarat cadre IPS officer appointed Addl Director in CBI

In Gujarat, Asthana was believed close to the state government and held vital posts, including in the special Investigation team that investigate the Godhra train burning case of 2002. He also served as Commissioner of Police in Vadodara and Surat. In his earlier tenure in the CBI, Asthana had probed Bihar's fodder scam case. Asthana who took charge CBI add to the increasing influence of state officers who are in important places at the Centre.

Ever since the BJP-led NDA came to power in May 2014, there has been a steady flow of bureaucrats from PM Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat to the corridors of power in Delhi. More than 30 officers belonging to Gujarat cadre has been shifted to Delhi after Modi moved to the Prime Minister's Office in Delhi. These officers have been given important and responsible positions at the Centre.

Some of the important officers of Gujarat cadre posted at the Centre are -

Rajeev Topno (1996 batch IAS officer) - Private Secretary to PM

Arvind Kumar Sharma (1988 batch IAS officer) - Joint Secretary to PM

Hasmukh Adhia (1981 batch IAS officer) - Secretary, Department of Revenue

Tapan Ray (1982 batch IAS officer) - Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs

PK Mishra (1972 batch retired IAS officer) - Additional Principal Secretary to PM

Pradeep Kumar Pujari (1981 batch IAS officer) - Secretary, Ministry of Power

Ashim Khurana (1983 batch IAS officer) - Chairman, Staff Selection Commission

Amarjit Singh (1982 batch IAS officer) - Special Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation

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GUJARAT CADRE IPS OFFICERS PRESENTLY AT SENIOR POSITIONS IN CBI

Rakesh Asthaana (1984 Batch) - Interim CBI director

AK Sharma (1987 Batch) - Joint Director - BS and FC Zone

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