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government of the day has proved in-
strumental in considerably undermining
the credibility of the CBI, which was once
regarded as a highly competent and
professional investigating agency. Politi-
cal interference and readiness of the CBI
to be politically influenced have made
a mockery of the CBI that is expected to
remain above partisan politics. Some ex-
perts argue that dispensation at the helm
in its quest for serving politically vested
interests usually discards the high ideals
with which the CBI was created.
Recent years have witnessed the
functioning of the CBI being subjected to
disconcerting questions, irrespective of
which government was at the helm. The
poor public perception of the CBI, apart the meanwhile, the Central Vigilance • Probing the probers Top investigators are
from being shorn of credibility, being a Commission, the statutory body that being investigated for corruption charges at CBI
“meek, incompetent and biased” agency exercises superintendence over the
which could be arm-twisted politically functioning of the CBI for investigation
at will, has seriously undermined this of offences related to the prevention Some experts have suggested for con-
crucial institution’s significant role in the of corruption, should be authorised to stituting a high-level governing board,
national governance. With the function- probe current allegations of corruption. comprising prime minister, Union home
ing of the CBI having come under severe Besides, Department of Personnel & minister and four/five chief ministers
public scrutiny in cases like the Jain Training, the agency’s other supervisor, to be appointed by turn, as its members,
hawala, 2G scam, coal scam and other ought to undertake adequate steps to to frame broad guidelines and keep a
prominent cases; it was hoped that with purge the system. The current system of watch over the agency’s working. Some
the passage of 2005 Right to Information borrowing officers on deputation from experts have also suggested the bifurca-
Act this apex investigating agency would the BSF, CRPF, BSF and other Central tion of the CBI into an anti-corruption
be open to public scrutiny to some ex- police organisations, which has been in body and a national crime bureau, with
tent; nevertheless, the agency conveni- vogue since 2001, should be curtailed anti-corruption bureau to be put under
ently managed to get itself exempted and the old mechanism of directly re- the control of the Ministry of Personnel
from the purview of the Act. cruiting the personnel for the CBI needs while the national crime bureau should
The hand-maiden nature of the to be revived at the earliest to strengthen be placed under the Ministry of Home
functioning of the CBI at the will of and streamline the functioning of this Affairs.
the government of the day has led the apex investigating agency. Some experts Apart from restoring the image and
Supreme Court of India to observe that emphasise on reviving and putting into credibility of the CBI, there is dire need
the agency does not have to move with practice the UPA government’s initiative of boosting the morale of the hard-
the “crutches of political executive” and of forming a Group of Ministers to sug- working and honest officials of the
the apex court has expressed its anguish gest ways to ensure the independence of agency through sensitizing and incenti-
over “intrusion” in the functioning of the the CBI and its functional autonomy. It is vising them in order to galvanise them
CBI, requiring its to be “liberated| from suggested that agency’s officials should in combating cases of corruption with
“political influence and interference” also be encouraged to create a firewall to added enthusiasm and stem the tide of
so that the pride of this investigating prevent political interference. mounting crime as well. A strong and
agency could be restored. However, it Apprehensions among many state effective investigating agency is prone
requires strong political will which is governments of the likelihood of misuse to augur well with India’s image as a
currently lacking. of the CBI by the ruling dispensation country committed to the rule of law. It
at the Centre to settle political scores is imperative for every dispensation at
Way Forward spurs these state governments to oppose the helm to maintain the sanctity of this
Being mired in controversy does not enactment of the Central law for the CBI. agency in the larger public and national
bode well for the CBI, which needs Therefore, some critics call for bring- interest and disallow any machination
revamping in accordance with the ing the CBI under a statute to make the that erodes its credibility.
recommendations of the Estimate Com- agency truly accountable for its actions
mittee of the parliament (1991-1992). In and inactions. letters@tehelka.com

tehelka / 15 november 2018 35 www.tehelka.com

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