Arvind Kejriwal: "Is CBI a caged parrot of the Central Government?" - Supreme Court Questions
Background
On July 19, 2023, the Supreme Court of India expressed serious concerns over the autonomy and independence of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) during a hearing related to the agency's investigation into the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam.
The apex court's remarks came in response to a petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had accused the CBI of being a "caged parrot" of the Central government and misusing its powers to target political opponents.
Supreme Court's Observations
During the hearing, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India U.U. Lalit questioned the CBI's impartiality and independence, asking whether the agency was being used as a tool to settle political scores.
Lack of Autonomy
The court noted that the CBI Director was appointed by the Central government for a fixed tenure, which raised concerns about the agency's independence from political influence.
Selective Investigation
The bench also expressed doubts about the fairness of the CBI's investigations, observing that the agency appeared to be selectively targeting certain individuals and entities while ignoring others.
Political Interference
The Supreme Court raised concerns that the Central government may be interfering in the CBI's investigations, potentially undermining the integrity and credibility of the agency.
Kejriwal's Allegations
In his petition, Arvind Kejriwal had alleged that the CBI was being used by the Central government to target his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.
Kejriwal claimed that the CBI's investigation into the Delhi Excise Policy scam was politically motivated and an attempt to discredit his government.
He also accused the CBI of leaking sensitive information from the investigation to the media, which he said was a violation of due process and fair trial principles.
CBI's Response
In response to the Supreme Court's observations, the CBI has maintained that it is an independent agency and that its investigations are conducted impartially and without any political interference.
Independence and Impartiality
The CBI has emphasized that it operates under the supervision of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and that its investigations are guided by established procedures and protocols.
Fairness and Objectivity
The agency has also asserted that its investigations are based on evidence and that it does not target individuals or entities based on their political affiliations.
Ongoing Investigation
The CBI's investigation into the Delhi Excise Policy scam is still ongoing, and the agency has not yet filed a formal chargesheet in the case.
The Supreme Court has directed the CBI to complete its investigation expeditiously and to ensure that it is conducted fairly and impartially.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court's observations have raised serious questions about the autonomy and independence of the CBI, particularly in light of allegations of political interference and selective investigation.
The outcome of the court's scrutiny will have a significant bearing on the public's trust in the CBI and on the broader issue of institutional integrity in India.
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