CBI Makes Historic Move by Appointing 5 IRS Officers As SPs, Indicating Shift in Posting Strategy
(Judicial Quest News Network)
New Delhi, 10, August,2024
In a notable shift in its staffing strategy, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to welcome five officers from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) as Superintendents of Police (SP). This change marks a significant departure from the CBI’s traditional practice of appointing officers primarily from the Indian Police Service (IPS) or its own cadre.
The newly inducted IRS officers, who are from the 2014 to 2016 batches, include:
- Srishti Chaudhari (IRS IT 2014)
- Navin Kumar Soni (IRS C&IT 2014)
- Savyasachi Kumar (IRS IT 2014)
- Pankaj Rajaram Sonawane (IRS IT 2014)
- Krunal Chimanbhai Rathore (IRS C&IT 2016)
This strategic move is designed to bolster the CBI’s capacity to handle complex economic crimes more effectively. By incorporating IRS officers, the CBI aims to leverage their extensive expertise in dealing with economic offenses, which aligns with the agency’s evolving focus on financial crimes.
Traditionally, early postings at the CBI have been a crucial opportunity for young IPS officers to gain valuable experience and exposure. However, the decision to assign IRS officers to these roles could potentially limit such opportunities for IPS officers. This change is especially significant given that IPS officers have traditionally had fewer opportunities to engage with complex financial investigations due to their limited involvement in critical agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).
Government sources emphasize that the primary objective is to staff top agencies with the most capable individuals, irrespective of their service background. They argue that the inclusion of IRS officers will benefit both the CBI and the officers themselves, given the rising prominence of economic offenses and the increasing need for specialized expertise in this area.
