Sharad Kumar
IPS, Haryana cadre, 1979 batch
Vigilance Commissioner, CVC (appointed 10 Jun 2018, term to Oct 2020; interim CVC Jun 2019 to Apr 2020); earlier DG, NIA (appointed 30 Jul 2013, took charge 5 Aug 2013, to 30 Oct 2017)
Summary
Re-employed twice as NIA Director General after his 2015 superannuation (the Indian Express called the second "a rare move"), then appointed Vigilance Commissioner seven months after leaving the NIA; as Vigilance Commissioner he sat on the CVC inquiry into CBI Director Alok Verma.
By the numbers
2 extensions
Two one-year re-employments as NIA DG after Oct 2015 superannuation. indianexpress.com
7 months from leaving the NIA to the Vigilance Commission
30 Oct 2017 to 10 Jun 2018. pib.gov.in
The rise, step by step
Each step is solid where two sources carry it, a hairline where one does.
One report
Joins IPS, Haryana cadre.
Documented
Appointed Director General, National Investigation Agency (30 Jul 2013); takes charge 5 Aug 2013.
One report
Superannuates (Oct 2015, inferred from the second term starting 1 Nov 2016) and is re-employed as NIA DG for one year.
One report
During his tenure, the NIA files a second supplementary final report in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, recommending prosecution of 10 accused and stating that prosecution of Pragya Singh Thakur and five others "is not maintainable" and that MCOCA is not attracted.
One report
ACC approves a second year of re-employment, 1 Nov 2016 to 31 Oct 2017; the Indian Express called it 'a rare move' and reported it was meant to help complete the Pathankot, Kashmir, Burdwan and Samjhauta cases.
Documented
Demits office as NIA DG; succeeded by Y.C. Modi.
One report
Appointed Vigilance Commissioner, CVC, for four years or until age 65.
One report
As Vigilance Commissioner, sits on the CVC (with CVC K.V. Chowdary and VC T.M. Bhasin) that inquires into allegations against CBI Director Alok Verma under SC-appointed supervision of retired Justice A.K. Patnaik.
Documented
Appointed interim Central Vigilance Commissioner after K.V. Chowdary's term ends (10 Jun 2019); holds interim charge until Sanjay Kothari takes oath as CVC (Apr 2020).
One report
Term as Vigilance Commissioner ends on his turning 65 (Oct 2020, per IE).
Cases on the way up
2008 Malegaon blast
- Role
- NIA Director General when the 13 May 2016 supplementary report was filed
- Outcome
- Special NIA court, Mumbai, acquitted all seven accused, including Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, on 31 Jul 2025, holding the prosecution had not proved guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
- Where it stands
- All accused acquitted. Special NIA court, 31 Jul 2025.
Samjhauta Express blast (2007)
- Role
- NIA DG; extension reportedly aimed in part at completing it
- Outcome
- Special NIA court acquitted all four accused, including Aseemanand, on 20 Mar 2019 (after his NIA tenure).
Mecca Masjid blast (2007)
- Role
- NIA DG during the trial
- Outcome
- Special NIA court acquitted five accused, including Aseemanand, on 16 Apr 2018; the NIA decided not to appeal (after his NIA tenure).
CVC inquiry into CBI Director Alok Verma (2018)
- Role
- Vigilance Commissioner on the Commission
- Outcome
- The CVC report found no direct evidence of the alleged Rs 2 crore bribe but sought probes on other counts; the supervising judge, Justice Patnaik, later said there was no evidence of corruption against Verma and that the findings were the CVC's, not his. The PM-led committee removed Verma on 10 Jan 2019.
What courts and officials said
Said there was no evidence of corruption against Alok Verma and that the CVC findings were not his (as reported).
The other side
- Government of India (official statement, Oct 2016)
- ACC approved re-appointment of Sharad Kumar as DG, NIA on re-employment for one year. pib.gov.in
Documents
Report NIA press release on the second supplementary final report, 2008 Malegaon blast (as published by Bar & Bench), May 2016
During investigation, sufficient evidences have not been found against the below mentioned persons and NIA has submitted in the Final Report that the prosecution against them is not maintainable
Order PIB: Shri Sharad Kumar reappointed as DG, NIA, Oct 2016
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has reappointed Shri Sharad Kumar (HY:79) (retired) as Director General, National Investigation Agency for a period of one year w.e.f 1.11.2016 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Order PIB: Appointment of Vigilance Commissioner, Jun 2018
Shri Sharad Kumar (Indian Police Service, Retd., HY:1979) has been appointed as the Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission, New Delhi for a term of four years from the date on which he enters upon his office, or till he attains the age of sixty five years, whichever is earlier.
Sources
- indianexpress.com
- web.archive.org
- images.assettype.com
- indianexpress.com
- pib.gov.in
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- scroll.in
- hindustantimes.com
- indianexpress.com
- indianexpress.com
- barandbench.com
- indianexpress.com
- indianexpress.com
- newindianexpress.com
- indianexpress.com
- indianexpress.com
- pib.gov.in
These are documented facts placed side by side. Nothing here asserts or implies wrongdoing by any officer. Acquittals, dismissed petitions and clean chits are recorded alongside adverse findings. Every source was opened and checked on Oct 2026.
Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs, GODL-India