NEW DELHI: In a significant rejig, Centre has promoted 1994-batch IPS officers Manoj Shashidhar and Sampat Meena to the rank of special director in CBI. Both were serving as additional directors with key assignments.Meena becomes only the second woman special director in the agency after Archana Sundaram, a 1980-batch officer whose appointment had followed a tussle with then CBI chief Ranjit Sinha backing her candidature over others shortlisted.A Gujarat cadre officer, Shashidhar has been with CBI since January 2020 when he was appointed joint director. Known for his clean image and no-nonsense approach, he has handled several high-profile cases, including heading the SIT that probed the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. In his new role, he has been entrusted with crucial investigations and strengthening the agency’s operational efficiency. Originally from Kerala, Shashidhar earlier served as Vadodara police commissioner, inspector general of police in Gandhinagar Range, and ADGP in the intelligence wing.Meena, from a family of civil servants, is regarded for her integrity and professionalism. In CBI, she handled sensitive probes, including RG Kar hospital rape and murder case in Kolkata, as well as Hathras and Unnao cases. She drew appreciation for probing the 2017 ‘Gudia rape case’ in Himachal Pradesh.During her stint in the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Meena was lauded for her work against child trafficking through initiatives such as Operation Muskaan. She has also served in Naxal-affected areas and was Ranchi’s first woman senior SSP.
