The new CBI chief

THE new CBI director, Anil Kumar Sinha, takes office at a critical juncture. The CBI’s image has been considerably dented by its mishandling of the Aarushi Talwar case, the 2G, coal mining and Commonwealth Games scams. The CBI investigations under the last incumbent, Ranjit Sinha never raised expectation of rigorous inquiry and eventual justice. There is no doubt that the CBI has to put itself above controversy. The Modi government should be fully aware that an emasculated CBI will only undermine its reputation. The main hurdle has been political interference overriding court strictures. Officers should demonstrate greater integrity. The CBI lacks financial autonomy to shake off political meddling, fill vacancies and carry out a modernization programme. The agency also lacks control over the appointment of its senior officers. Its plea for autonomy has often been in vain. The UPA government refused to grant the rights of an ex-officio secretary to the CBI director. It was thought that it would cause resentment in other departments. Jurists and policing experts have said that the CBI needs a separate legal framework. It cannot be changed from within. The CBI should have statutory status like the Election Commission or the CAG. It seems that the Supreme Court’s decision to make the CBI free from political interference has not been translated into action. It has become all the more important in the case of the investigation into the Saradha scam.
Politicians would naturally be reluctant to part with their supreme authority. They would not like to create new power structures. The Modi government should initiate a vigorous debate on the issue. What the Centre does, states should follow. Let A K Sinha have all the powers that he needs and be above any kind of corruption.