PM Modi, CJI Khanna, and Rahul Gandhi Meet at PMO to Finalize Next CBI Chief Amid National Security Concerns

New Delhi, May 5, 2025 — A high-level meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today, bringing together Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to deliberate on the selection of the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The urgent and significant consultation comes ahead of the retirement of the current CBI Chief Praveen Sood, whose tenure concludes on May 25, 2025.

Under the provisions of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, the appointment of the CBI Director must be made by a three-member committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. All three members were present at the PMO for the decisive meeting.

CBI Leadership Transition: A Strategic Decision

Praveen Sood, a 1986-batch IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre, assumed charge as CBI Director in May 2023, succeeding Subodh Kumar Jaiswal. As his term nears completion, the government is keen to ensure a seamless leadership transition in one of the country’s most critical investigative agencies.

Sources suggest that a shortlist of senior IPS officers is being evaluated, and the panel is expected to finalize the name within days. The decision holds heightened significance given the current geopolitical tensions with Pakistan and the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.

Bipartisan Cooperation Amid National Crisis

The presence of Rahul Gandhi in the PMO follows a rare moment of political unity. In a recent all-party meeting convened after the Pahalgam terror attack, opposition leaders expressed unanimous support for the government’s response. Rahul Gandhi called the attack a “heinous act” and pledged that the opposition will back the Centre in all efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

This sentiment of cooperation seems to have carried over into the meeting today, reflecting a unified front at a time of heightened national security concerns.

National Security at the Forefront

The selection of the next CBI chief comes as India remains on high alert following repeated ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and escalating diplomatic friction with Pakistan. PM Modi has been holding daily security briefings with the Foreign Minister, National Security Advisor, and top defence officials.

The government is also preparing for a large-scale mock drill on May 7, marking the first such nationwide civil defence exercise since 1971 — further underscoring the seriousness of the current situation.

What’s Next?

An official announcement regarding the new CBI Director is expected in the coming days. The appointee will be tasked with leading high-stakes investigations, maintaining institutional independence, and playing a key role in supporting national security operations.

With top constitutional functionaries involved in the process, the decision is expected to reflect credibility, transparency, and strategic foresight, essential for maintaining public trust in the CBI’s functioning.