Rakesh Asthana, Former Special Director of CBI, Appointed Delhi Police Commissioner

Rakesh Asthana has been appointed as the Commissioner of Delhi Police, according to an official order issued by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday. The 1984-batch IPS officer from Gujarat cadre is Director General (DG) of Border Security Force (BSF) and was to superannuate from the post on July 31 but would now get a one year tenure as CP Delhi.

The MHA order has stated that Asthana to be relieved immediately so that he can take over charge as the Commissioner of Delhi Police. He will be Delhi CP till July 31, 2022 or until further orders.

Speaking to News18, Asthana said that he was waiting for an official communication and is ready to take up new challenges.

Moreover, DG ITBP S S Deswal has been given additional charge of the BSF. The MHA order stated, “Consequent to appointment of Rakesh Asthana (GJ 84), DG BSF as Commissioner of Police Delhi, the competent authority has approved that S S Deswal (HY 84) DG ITBP shall hold additional charge as DG BSF vice Asthana till the appointment and joining of the regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”

“The approval of the appointment committee of cabinet has been conveyed for the inter cadre deputation of Rakesh Asthana (Guj 84) from Gujarat cadre to AGMUT cadre and extending his service initially for a period of one year beyond the date of his super annuation on 31.07.21 or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the MHA order said, adding that this was on relaxation of rule 16(1) of the all India service (death cum Retirement Benefits) rules, 1958 as a special case in public interest.

Asthana has earlier served as the the special director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and was mired into a controversy over his bitter terms with then CBI director Alok Verma.

According to sources, Asthana was the front runner for the post of CBI director as well till Chief Justice of India cited the rule book and said only an officer with six months or more of tenure left should be considered for the post. The sources further said that Asthana, who has an experience of handling criminal investigations in Gujarat, was considered fit for the role of CP Delhi.

Currently, S S Balaji has been holding the additional charge of Commissioner of Police Delhi after S N Srivastav completed his tenure.

This is not the first time that Delhi will see a Commissioner from outside the cadre. Uttar Pradesh cadre officer Ajay Raj Sharma also had lead the force in the past.

Asthana was involved in investigating some high-profile cases and had also arrested Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the fodder scam in 1997, while holding the post of superintendent of police in the CBI.

He earlier worked as the Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

Asthana is also the DG of Narcotics Control Bureau. Under his leadership, the NCB focused on the Bollywood’s alleged drug nexus which brought the bureau into spotlight. The orders are awaited about his successor too in the bureau.

Meanwhile, this will be the second stint as BSF DG for Deswal, who has held the additional charge of all paramilitary forces except CISG so far, setting a record of some sort.

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