Hitesh Chandra Awasthi tipped to take over 2G spectrum probe

NEW DELHI: Senior IPS officer Hitesh Chandra Awasthi is likely to lead the probe into the 2G spectrum scam after Y P Singh took voluntary retirement to join an International Cricket Council assignment.

CBI sources said Awasthi, a 1985-batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, has on April one rejoined work after a year-long study leave and is tipped to head the Delhi unit, which is overlooking the 2G spectrum and CWG probes, as Joint Director.

Singh is serving three months' notice period after tendering his resignation in February. He was the supervisory officer in the crucial case.

Singh, a 1981-batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, sought voluntary retirement from CBI to take up his new job in International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), which deals with graft in international cricketing events.

"Awasthi joined on April 1 after a one-year study leave. Once Singh leaves, he may be given the 2G spectrum probe," a senior CBI official said.

Before Singh, Ravi Sawani, a 1977 batch IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, had also resigned to joined ICC. Sawani had spearheaded the probe into the match-fixing scam which rocked Indian cricket in 2000.

The CBI has already filed its first charge sheet in the 2G spectrum case on April two. It will submit supplementary charge sheet later this month.