New Delhi, Feb 10 (IANS) S.C. Sinha, a 1975 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was Wednesday appointed the new chief of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

He succeeds R.V. Raju who retired last month.

"Sinha has been appointed as director general of the NIA," a statement from the home ministry said.

Sinha, 56, a Haryana cadre IPS officer, was special director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). His name was cleared by the home ministry and forwarded to the appointments committee of the cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for confirmation.

Before joining the CBI, Sinha was director general in the Haryana Vigilance Bureau. He has also held several important positions in the agency from 1985 to 1990 and from 2002 to 2007, including the post of joint director (economic offences wing) and superintendent of police.

The first NIA head, Raju, who was given a free hand to put in place the logistics and a core NIA team, is expected move to the Central Vigilance Commission.