NEW DELHI: It has been reported that the central government is in the process of establishing a new position titled Chief Investigation Officer (CIO). This role will entail overseeing the operations of investigative agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.

Sanjay Kumar Mishra, who recently resigned from the position of ED chief is set to become the inaugural appointee to this position. This development bears resemblance to the establishment of the role of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) positioned above the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Forces. The Chief of Defence Staff post was introduced by the Modi government in 2019 with all three military chiefs now being answerable to the CDS.

With this new designation in effect, the heads of CBI and ED will be accountable to the Chief Investigation Officer. Insider sources suggest that the Chief Investigation Officer will have a direct reporting line to the Prime Minister's Office. It appears that the government is instituting this position due to the frequent overlap in the investigative domains of both the ED and CBI.