New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) The Government today appointed Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma as new Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He would take over from interim director of CBI Rakesh Asthana. Rakesh Asthana was serving as interim director of CBI after retirement of former director Anil Sinha on December 2. The search panel that chose Mr Verma as CBI director included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India J S Khehar and Leader of the opposition (Congress) in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. Mr Verma, who is presently serving as Delhi Police Commissioner, has served Delhi Police in number of positions earlier also. He has served as IG of Police in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and DGP of Puducherry. A 1979 batch IPS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre, Mr Verma was the Director General of Tihar jail before he took charge as the Commissioner of Delhi Police in February last year. During his career, he had served Delhi Police in number of positions, including Deputy Commissioner of Police, south district, Joint Commissioner of the Crime Branch, Joint Commissioner of Police, New Delhi Range, Special CP (Intelligence) and Special CP (Vigilance). UNI MKS PY SB 2232