The appointments committee of the cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister, on Sunday night approved the appointment of Rakesh Asthana, who had overseen the initial probe into the Godhra train carnage. Asthana, said to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, is now supervising several sensitive cases as additional director in the CBI. Sources said a selection committee meeting, chaired by CVC chief K.V. "The selection committee had observed that since Asthana's name had figured in the diary and the case is being probed by the CBI, he should not be promoted. "CBI director Alok Verma had given a dissent note but it was overruled by the government."

Source: The Telegraph October 23, 2017 22:18 UTC