New CBI chief Alok Verma starts innings

New Delhi: In a low-key affair, Alok Verma began his innings as CBI’s new director with an off-media (especially reporters) “handover” ceremony on Wednesday — a marked departure from his predecessors. Normally, the handover of charge by the outgoing or acting (interim) director to the new head of the country’s premier investigative agency, has been a public affair and had taken place in the past in front of cameras as well as journos covering the beat. There was no word on whether or when Verma, an IPS officer of 1979-batch (AGMU Cadre), would be talking to media about his priorities and plan of action as head of the country’s premier investigative agency. Before joining, he was serving as commissioner of police, Delhi. However, immediately after taking over, Mr Verma conveyed that his top most priority will be fair, impartial and conclusive enquiries.

The new CBI Chief encouraged the officials of the agency to work as a team with a spirit of ‘mutual trust’ so that the faith of common people and judiciary in the organisation is sustained. He also underlined the urgent need to ensure timely promotions and redressal of grievances which is essential for the morale of the organisation, sources in the CBI said.

Verma has served on various positions and dawned many roles in his career spanning 37 years. Prior to assuming the office of Commissioner of Police, Delhi, Verma was Director General of Prisons (Delhi), Director General of Police in Mizoram, DGP, Puducherry and IGP, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He has held several important positions in UT Cadre in Vigilance, Intelligence, Crime & Railways, Administration as Special Commissioner, Joint Commissioner Range & Deputy Commissioner, South District. He has also served as FRRO, New Delhi. Being Commissioner of Police, Delhi, he pitched against stagnancy by invoking timely promotion of the staff. “He was very concerned about the security and safety of the citizens. He introduced women PCR in the capital. His endeavour has been to strengthen the framework of police accountability through police-public interaction, community policing, visibility of police, convenience to public through prompt action, fair and transparent handling, apprehending hardened criminals and prevention of crime”, sources in the CBI said.