Tenure of Rakesh Asthana curtailed with immediate effect

In a major development on Thursday evening, tenure of CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana and three were curtailed with immediate effect by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. The tenures of three more officers -- Joint Director Arun Kumar Sharma, Deputy Inspector General Manish Kumar Sinha and Superintendent of Police Jayant J Naiknavare -- have also been curtailed, the official order said.

The move comes a week before PM Narendra Modi-led high-powered Selection Committee’s meeting that will appoint a new CBI Director. The curtailment is seen as a bid to cleanse the premier investigative agency and improve its professional functioning.