New Delhi:
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee government on Friday reportedly withdrawn the ‘general consent’ accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), hours after her Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu made a similar decision, that basically means the agency cannot conduct raids or investigations in the state without permission.
According to CBI rules, the agency has a complete jurisdiction over Delhi but can enter other states with the "general consent" of their government. The CBI functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
However, the orders withdrawing consent don’t apply to CBI investigations conducted on court orders.
In West Bengal, the CBI is probing some key cases such as Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi scams and the Narada sting operation several TMC leader are allegedly involved.
Banerjee had extended her support to the Andhra Pradesh government’s move earlier in the day.
"What Chandrababu Naidu has done is right. The CBI receives instructions from the BJP," she said.
Ever since Naidu snapped ties with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in March this year, he had been alleging that the Centre was misusing agencies like the CBI to target political opponents.
A ‘confidential’ government order to this effect, issued by principal secretary (home) AR Anuradha on November 8, was “leaked” late Thursday night.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, Government hereby withdraw the general consent accorded (in GO Ms 109) to all the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise the powers and jurisdiction under the said Act in the state of Andhra Pradesh,” the latest GO said.
With this move, the Andhra Pradesh government has also empowered the state investigation agency with the CBI's duties.
On August 3 this year, the Andhra Pradesh government issued the GO Ms No. 109 according “general consent” to all members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise the powers and jurisdiction in Andhra Pradesh against officials of the central government, central government undertakings and private persons for investigating offences under various laws, including the Prevention of Corruption Act.
(With PTI inputs)
