Evolving from the Delhi Special Police Establishment, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is India’s premier federal investigation agency. The nearest comparison of its role would be to the FBI in the United States.
In India as in America, policing is a State subject but the CBI has jurisdiction over any crime concerning a Central Govt matter or Central Govt employees. In practice although it requires a nod from the Govt to start an investigation, it has wide powers over any internal Indian matter. Although commonly referred to as a caged parrot these days since it is effectively controlled by the whims and fancies of powerful politicians, there was a time during its early days when it was headed by John Lobo, a Goan from Nagpur, who established its stellar reputation in line with its motto of Industry, Impartiality and Integrity. Alas, open the news today and you will find that its chief Alok Verma has been unceremoniously sacked by a Selection Committee headed by the PM himself after a Supreme Court order to set it up to decide on the recent scandal of bribery, corruption and infighting between the Chief and his Special Director Rakesh Asthana with the whole Bureau deeply divided between the two. The sacking today is s culmination of previous Govt orders sending both the Director and his combating assistant on forced leave and transfers which included their top supporters, to insignificant postings all over India. This conflagration started with an investigation by Special Director Asthana into a 36 crore bribery by a large meat trader of his boss Director Verma. This whole incident would be nothing but an indication of the corruption malaise gripping every facet of government, were it not that a premier police agency is involved. The reputation of the CBI so assiduously crafted by John Lobo is now in shambles. Who will police the police in India? Roland. Toronto.
