M Nageshwar Rao.
The in-fighting within the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) witnessed a new turn on Wednesday, when a government orders issued asked the two top officials of the premier probe agency- CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthama to go on leave. The order also stated that M Nageshwar Rao will be taking over as the interim CBI chief.
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved that during the period of the subsistence of the aforesaid interim measure, cited in reference above, Shri M Nageshwar Rao, IPS, presently working as Joint Director, CBI shall look after duties and functions of Director CBI and shall take over the duties and functions with immediate effect,” the government notification stated.
Rao will also be personally supervising all sensitive cases, including those of Vijay Mallya’s extradition and AgustaWestland, reported ANI.
Mannem Nageswara Rao hails from the Warangal district in Telangana. He is a chemistry post graduate from Osmania University, Hyderabad. He did his research work in Madras IIT before joining the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1986. On April 7, 2016, Rao was appointed as the Joint Director in the premier probe agency for a period of five years. Prior to that, he was the Additional Director General of Odisha Police.
Rao has served as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Odisha's four districts - Mayurbhanj, Nabarangapur, Bargarh and Jagatsinghpur- in the past, besides being the SP, Railways, Railways at Rourkela and Cuttack and the SP of the Crime Branch.
He has the distinction of the being the first officer in Odisha to use DNA fingerprinting in crime probe while investigating the a rape case in Jagatsinghpur district in 1996. He is said to be known for his tough cop-qualities and demeanour.
Rao, who has previously served as the chief of the Odisha Fire Service, was awarded the chief minister's award for his contribution during cyclones Phailin in 2013 and Hudhud in 2014. He has also received President's Police Medal for Meritorious Service, President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Special Duty Medal and Odisha Governor's Medal.
He was known for detecting Urea diversion scam in Nabarangpur district and Sulphur scam in the Paradeep Phosphates Limited in Paradip.
His anti-insurgency works in Manipur as DIG (Operations) of CRPF also earned him a lot of praise.
As IGP, CRPF, Eastern Sector, Kolkata, he personally led Lalgarh operations against the Naxals in 2008.
Rao was instrumental in establishing CoBRA Battalion of CRPF and sanctioning of 2nd Group Centre of CRPF at Sambalpur.
As IG CRPF, Rao also played a key role in defusing tension in riot-hit Kandhamal in 2008.
