Modi govt appoints another right-wing loyalist SK Mishra as ED chief

Govt appoints IRS officer S K Mishra as Enforcement Directorate chief in an additional capacity, stated an official order

Mishra, a 1984-batch Indian Revenue Service officer of the Income Tax cadre, has been appointed as the Principal Special Director in the agency and has been entrusted with the additional charge of ED Director for three months.

Mishra will take over from incumbent Karnal Singh whose tenure at the agency ends on Sunday.

Singh, a 1984-batch IPS officer of Union Territories cadre, will complete an over three year tenure as the ED Director.

Official sources said Mishra, posted as chief commissioner of Income Tax in Delhi at present, has not been empanelled as an additional secretary in the central government and hence has been given the top ED charge in an additional capacity.

He is expected to be empanelled soon and subsequently will head the ED in a regular capacity, they said.

According to some sources, SK Mishra is said to be close to the BJP top brass and putting him in the top position at the ED is being seen as an attempt by the NDA government to put up a strong face in the light of the CBI crisis.

Sanjay Mishra has been in the limelight over the years for investigating many high-profile cases including the case of disproportionate assets against BSP Chief Mayawati, and National Herald case.

Mishra is also probing into allegations of tax evasion by NDTV, and issued the Rs 450 crore demand notice that the channel received in 2014.