Centre lists CBI autonomy

Days after the Supreme Court came down on the government for turning the CBI into a “caged parrot”, the Centre on Wednesday submitted before it recommendations made by a group of ministers and approved by the Union Cabinet on ensuring the autonomy of the agency.

The government’s main recommendation is that the post of CBI director must be strengthened by bringing in a new system for his appointment under the supervision of the apex court, Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, while the director’s suspension should be carried out only by the President on grounds of proven misbehaviour and incompetence after an inquiry by the Central Vigilance Commissioner.

The Centre’s 41-page affidavit also consists of an action taken report summarising the steps already taken by the Centre in the direction of ensuring the CBI’s independence.

The Centre has stated it has been bringing significant changes in laws to free the CBI from extraneous influence, including by amending the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, and enacting the CVC Act, 2003. The government has recommended further changes to the DSPE Act, under the provisions of which the CBI operates, to provide the probe agency protection from political influence.

The affidavit says a panel, under the chairmanship of the PM and comprising the Chief Justice of India or an apex court sitting judge and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, will choose the CBI chief. Also the director should not hold the post for more than two years.