• Source:JND
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A Parliamentary panel on Monday said that there is an urgent need to enact a new law and give the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)  broader powers so that it can investigate cases without ‘state consent and interference’. The panel stated that the central agency’s powers to investigate critical cases have been limited due to the withdrawal of ‘general consent’ by some states. 

“With reference to this only the Committee reiterates that as of date, nine states have withdrawn the general consent they had given to the CBI for investigating cases. This has led to severe limitations on the powers of CBI to investigate crucial cases impartially and objectively which will give rise to corruption and organised crimes in states,” it said.

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"Hence, as recommended earlier, apart from the DSPE Act, 1946, there is a dire need to enact a new law and define the status and functions and give wider powers to CBI to investigate such crucial cases without the need for a state’s consent and interference," the panel said.

The panel also mentioned that some safeguards should also be laid down to ensure objectivity and impartiality to prevent discrimination against the states as well. 

“At the same time, in the same Act, some safeguards should also be laid down to ensure objectivity and impartiality in the functioning of CBI so that the states also don’t feel discriminated and absolutely powerless,” it further said. 

According to a report tabled by the panel in Parliament on Monday, as many as nine states have withdrawn their general consent to the CBI for investigating cases. 

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Any investigation of the CBI can not begin without the approval of the state government, according to the provisions of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act.

The panel mentioned that the state's consent clause' be removed in cases deemed threats to the nation's security and integrity, and stressed that delay in investigation in such cases can lead to dissatisfaction among citizens.