Karnataka top cop Praveen Sood appointed as new CBI director

Karnataka Director General of Police IPS officer Praveen Sood was Sunday appointed the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of two years by the high-powered selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Praveen Sood, a 1986 batch IPS officer will replace current CBI Director Subodh Jaiswal when his tenure ends on May 25.

Praveen Sood’s name was finalised in a meeting of high power committee comprising of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had raised his objection to the candidates of Praveen Sood during the meeting, sources said.

WHO IS PRAVEEN SOOD?

Praveen Sood, who is currently serving as DGP of Karnataka Police, is a graduate from IIT Delhi.He joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1986 and started his career in Mysore as Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1989.

He later served as Superintendent of Police, Bellary and Raichur before being posted in Bengaluru as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).Praveen Sood has also work on deputation in Mauritius for three years from 1999.

Later, Sood studied Public Policy and Management from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and Maxwell School of Governance, Syracuse University, New York.The IPS officer also served as a Commissioner of Police of Mysore city from 2004 to 2007.

During his tenure, he worked extensively on terrorists network including those of Pakistan origin.Later, till 2011, he worked as additional police commissioner in Bengaluru’s traffic police.

Praveen Sood was awarded with Chief Minister’s Gold Medal for excellence in service in 1996, Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2002 and President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2011.In 2013-14, Praveen Sood, took over as Managing Director of Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation and was instrumental in increasing the turnover.

Praveen Sood has also worked as Principal Secretary in State Home Department, ADGP of Karnataka State Reserve Police and ADGP in Administration.He won plaudits for schemes to improve safety and security of citizens including women.

ISSUE WITH DK SHIVAKUMAR

Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar in March called DGP Praveen Sood a "nalayak" and vowed action against him once his party is voted to power.Congress has won Karnataka with a big margin and DK Shivakumar is a CM aspirant from the party.

But Praveen Sood will move to Delhi to assume the role of CBI director for the next two years.In March, DK Shivakumar had alleged that the DGP was favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.

He had alleged that around 25 cases were registered against Congress leaders and none against BJP leaders while Sood was heading the Karnataka Police.