CBI works well when dealing with apolitical cases: CJI Gogoi
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Tuesday said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be free from administrative control. He said the premier investigative agency should be given "statutory status through legislation" just like the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG). Speaking at an event organized by the agency, CJI Gogoi asked why does CBI work well when the case is not political.
CBI has carved special place for itself, said CJI Gogoi
At the event, which was held in Vigyan Bhavan, CJI Gogoi praised CBI for being one of the few investigative agencies which managed to carve a special place for itself. Then he added, "Why is it that whenever there are no political overtones to the case, the CBI does a good job?" In several sensitive cases, CBI did a shoddy job, he claimed.
"In several high-profile cases, CBI didn't do a good job"
"True, in a number of high-profile and politically sensitive cases the agency has not been able to meet the standards of judicial scrutiny. Equally true it is that such lapses may not have happened infrequently," CJI Gogoi reportedly said.
CJI also explained why political interference is obvious
Further, CJI Gogoi said these incidents indicate there is a deep mismatch between institutional aspirations, organizational design, working culture, and governing politics. "Given that the superintendence and control of the agency continue to lie with the executive by virtue of Section 4 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946, the possibility of it being used as a political instrument remains present," he explained.
CJI Gogoi reminded CBI of its reputation
CJI Gogoi also stressed that the public thinks highly of CBI and the agency should maintain it. "Any gap between public perception and the quality of the institutional performance would adversely impact the governance of the nation, which we can ill afford," he said. Expressing confidence, CJI Gogoi said he knows CBI has more than enough strength to deal with any situation.
CBI should be free from administrative control, opined CJI Gogoi
"Efforts must be made to de-link crucial aspects of CBI from the overall administrative control of the government. CBI should be given statutory status through legislation equivalent to that provided to the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG)," CJI Gogoi went on.
