NEW DELHI: Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)
chief Rakesh Asthana
was appointed as director general of Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday. Asthana, a 1984 batch IPS officer of Gujarat cadre who earlier served as
CBI special director
, will continue to hold
additional charge
as DG, Narcotics Control Bureau.
The government also approved the appointment of V S K Kaumudi, chief of Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), as special secretary (internal security) in the home ministry. Jawed Akhtar, a 1986 batch IPS officer from UP cadre working as special DG,
CRPF, was appointed as DG, Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guard.
BSF has not had a full-time chief for several months now, with ITBP DG S S Deswal holding additional charge as head of the border-guarding force. Asthana will be DG, BSF until his superannuation on July 31, 2021, or until furthers orders. He is also seen a strong contender for the post of CBI director when the incumbent’s term ends in February next year.
During his stint in CBI, Asthana was involved in a row with his then boss, CBI director Alok Verma, who levelled serious charges against the former.
The newly-appointed BSF chief was subsequently given a clean chit on all the allegations made against him.
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