THE Supreme Court has found allegations against Ranjit Sinha, head of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), prima facie credible. Sinha has been asked not to interfere in the probe and trial of the 2G spectrum scam. The Court has said that its decision was taken to protect faith in the institution and the reputation of the CBI director. In reply, Sinha has said that no personal aspersions have been cast on him. It is difficult to understand why the CBI chief should try in this manner to wiggle out of the worst corruption case in India in recent times. Similarly, why was the apex court so drastic and then soften its words? The CBI had long been criticized for giving way to executive interference and political pressure. It got itself tarnished in the coal block allocation scam. It would seem that the Court is unduly concerned about the reputation of the CBI director. Sinha’s handling of the 2G and coal block allocation scams faced considerable flak. He had long refused to quit and the Court had allowed him to do serious damage to the image of the institution which he headed. Sinha had been accused of being close to influential suspects in corruption cases investigated under his surveillance. These individuals visited his house and the frequency of their visits increased as investigation against them gathered speed. Sinha’s tenure has cast a doubt on CBI autonomy and accountability which have been considerably strengthened by the Supreme Court.
The Ranjit Sinha mess is regrettable as the CBI is now engaged in hunting down people of power and pelf involved in the multi-crore Saradha scam. The ruling party in West Bengal, the Trinamul Congress is on the rocks with some of its prominent leaders arrested or under scanner which may lead to their arrest. What is to be ensured is that the old shadow of CBI fumbling does not catch up with its performance in nabbing the corrupt tainted by Saradha money.
