Amid the ongoing tussle between the Centre and the CBI over complete functional autonomy to India’s premier investigating agency, the CBI is now all set to raise the issue before the Supreme Court about several instances of various state governments making it mandatory to take their sanctions for prosecuting even Central government’s group “B” and “C” grade employees posted at various Central departments offices in their states.
Sources said, “At least 10 state governments in the country have issued general consent that the CBI can initiate inquiry, pertaining to corruption charges, against any Central government employees posted at the Union government offices in their respective states”. However, 18 state governments, mostly southern and north-eastern states, have made it clear that the CBI will have to seek their permission before initiating inquiry even against group B and C grade employees of the Central government posted at Central departments there, sources added.
“The CBI, in its affidavit before the Supreme Court, has also mentioned it and sought required amendment in the Section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act in this regard,” sources said. If the agency is forced to seek permission of the state governments for initiating probe against group B and C grade employees, who don’t even come under their jurisdiction, is simply a way to compromise with the autonomy of the CBI, sources said. The agency will again raise the issue before the apex court on Tuesday, they added. The apex court, which is monitoring CBI’s investigations into the Coal scam probe, will scrutinise the stand taken by both the CBI and the Centre over the issue of autonomy to the agency on August 6.
The Centre on August 2 opposed in the Supreme Court the agency’s plea for more power to its Director and for increasing his tenure to three years. In the 22-page affidavit, the government also rejected CBI’s opposition for an Account-ability Commission for the agency. The government said it is also against vesting complete disciplinary control of ‘Group A’ officers with the CBI director.