Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday submitted a formal note of dissent during a high-level meeting held to select the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, sources said.

The meeting took place at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence and was attended by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Rahul Gandhi, who is part of the statutory selection panel for appointing the CBI chief.

According to sources, Rahul Gandhi expressed disagreement with the proposed appointment process and formally recorded his dissent during deliberations over the successor to outgoing CBI Director Praveen Sood. Sood’s extended tenure is set to end on May 25, 2026.

Under existing rules, the CBI Director is appointed by a high-powered committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Several senior IPS officers are understood to be in contention for the top post. Among the frontrunners is Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, the current Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and former Haryana DGP.

Another key name under consideration is Parag Jain, the serving chief of India’s external intelligence agency RAW, known for his experience in intelligence and counter-terror operations.

Senior Madhya Pradesh cadre officer Ajay Kumar Sharma is also in the race. Sharma currently heads the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation and has previously served in the Economic Offences Wing.

Maharashtra DGP Sadanand Vasant Date, who earlier led the National Investigation Agency and played a key role during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is also among the strong contenders for the post.