Finally Sanjay Kumar Mishra will retire today (September 15) from the post of director of Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Supreme Court had extended the ED chief's tenure till September 15 in July after the Centre had sought the extension till October 15. Supreme Court had then given extension till September 15. This was Mishra's fourth extension.
During Mishra's tenure ED had been condemned by the opposition, which alleged that the central agency works against opposition party leaders at the behest of ruling BJP
The Supreme Court had also pulled up the central government on repeated extension of S K Mishra on his last extension. The court asked the centre, “Are there no other competent people in the department?”
Who is S K Mishra?
S K Mishra, 62, is a 1984 batch Indian Revenue Service with an outstanding record. He was Sanjay Kumar Mishra was appointed as the interim director of the Enforcement Directorate for three months in October 2018 before being given full-time charge.
Mishra is known to be an expert in cracking financial crimes and have led several cases to completion. He has handled a large number for high profile cases of economic offence and is said to be very close to prime minister Narendra Modi. Four extensions to his services is just a testimony to that fact. Before coming to ED, Mishra has also served as chief commissioner of Income Tax in Delhi
Who can be the next chief?
According to section 25 of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, a panel comprising the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), two vigilance commissioners, and secretaries of home, finance, and department of secretary of personnel will deliberate on nominees for the next chief.
According to sources, two names are doing rounds – Pravin Kumar (IRS IT: 1987), Member CBDT and Seemanchala Dash (IRS IT: 1988), former Principal Special Director in ED and Adviser to ED, IMF.
Apart from them, there is remote possibilities for few more officers like Pankaj Kumar Mishra (IRS IT: 1989), Rashmi Shukla (IPS: 1988: MH) and Rahul Navin, Special Director in ED.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
