Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Subject – Polity

Context– The Supreme Court on Wednesday said probe agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) suffered from the dearth of manpower and infrastructure that the judiciary too faced. Both were overburdened.

Concept –

• CBI is the premier investigating police agency in India.
• It functions under the superintendence of the Deptt. of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India – which falls under the prime minister’s office.
• However for investigations of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, its superintendence vests with the Central Vigilance Commission.
• It is also the nodal police agency in India which coordinates investigation on behalf of Interpol Member countries.
• CBI derives power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
• In 1963, the CBI was established by the Government of India with a view to investigate serious crimes related to defence of India, corruption in high places, serious fraud, cheating and embezzlement and social crime, particularly of hoarding, black-marketing and profiteering in essential commodities, having all-India and inter-state ramifications.
• With the passage of time, CBI started investigations in conventional crimes like assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, crimes committed by extremists, etc.

Director of CBI –

• Director, CBI as Inspector General of Police, Delhi Special Police Establishment, is responsible for the administration of the organization.
• Till 2014, the CBI Director was appointed on the basis of the DSPE Act, 1946.
• In 2014, the Lokpal Act provided a committee for appointment of CBI Director:
  • Headed by Prime Minister
  • Other members –
    • Leader of Opposition/ Leader of the single largest opposition party,
    • Chief Justice of India/ a Supreme Court Judge.
  • Home Ministry sends a list of eligible candidates to DoPT. Then, the DoPT prepares the final list on basis of seniority, integrity, and experience in the investigation of anti-corruption cases, and sends it to the committee.
• Director of CBI has been provided security of two year tenure, by the CVC Act, 2003.