Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), investigating agency’s second-in-command Additional Director Rakesh Asthana will take charge as interim director, after the retirement of Anil Sinha. Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Asthana is believed to be close to both the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah.

• In Gujarat, as IG, Vadodara range, he supervised the initial probe into the Godhra train incident. He was also police commissioner of Vadodara and Surat.
• 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
• Asthana got elevated as the second-in-command in CBI two days ago when Special Director R K Dutta, who was among the frontrunners for the top post, was shifted to the Home Ministry as a Special Secretary.
• The post of second special secretary was created for the first time in the ministry.
• It is the first time in last 10 years, that no new CBI chief has been named to succeed an incumbent. Sinha completed his two-year tenure
• The CBI Director is selected by a collegium comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition or leader of the largest party in the opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.