New Delhi: The high-level committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will meet today in the evening to decide the new chief of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India’s leading investigating agency.

According to well-placed sources, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of 1986 or 1987 batch is likely to be picked up for the top post if the current incumbent Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, a 1985 batch IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre, does not get the extension. His two-year long tenure comes to an end on May 25.

The tenure can be extended up to five years after the amendments were made to the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act and the CVC Act in 2021 to provide for maximum five-year tenure to chiefs of CBI and Enforcement Directorate. The five-year tenure includes a two-year fixed term that may be extended by up to three years - one year at a time.

As per the sources, a short list comprising names of all eligible officers from top three batches other than that of present CBI Director will be out before the Selection Committee. The selection criteria are primarily on seniority, integrity and past experiences.

Meanwhile, sources said that Jaiswal is going to continue till May end. In case some urgency arises, NIA Chief Dinkar Gupta, a senior IPS officer of Punjab cadre, may be given the additional charge of the CBI. /BI/