Alok Verma to take over as CBI chief on January 27

New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) CBI Director-designate Alok Kumar Verma is likely to take over as chief of the premier investigation agency on January 27, a day after the Republic Day.

Sources said that Verma would continue in his position as Delhi Police Chief till January 26 to oversee security arrangements.

Delhi Police has a critical role in ensuring security for the Republic Day and deploys over 40,000 of its personnel to guard the national capital.

Verma is expected to take up his new assignment on January 27. The government has so far not named a successor to Verma.

"He is likely to take over as CBI chief on January 27," a Home Ministry official told IANS.

Asked about the appointment of a new Delhi Police chief, he said that the central government would decide by January 27.

Verma, who was appointed as the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on January 19, is a 1979 batch officer of Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre.

He was appointed to the post almost one-and-a-half months after the superannuation of previous incumbent Anil Sinha on December 2.

Verma's appointment will be for a period of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of his office. Although he is due to retire in July, the government could give him an extension.

His appointment as the CBI director was his 24th posting in his 36-year career as a police officer.

Verma, who started his career as an Assistant Commissioner of Police (under training) in Delhi Police in December 24, 1979, was one of the front runners for the CBI Director's post and has been the Delhi Police chief for the last 11 months.