CBI can arrest any government official or undertakes the investigation of corruption related cases, economic offences and cases of conventional crime. CBI is a multidisciplinary investigation agency of the government of India. It also takes up the investigation crimes like murder, kidnaping, rape etc, on reference from state government or when directed by the supreme court/high court.
Is CBI need to take prior permission for investigation or inquiry against senior bureaucrats in corruption cases?
Section 6A in Delhi special police establishment act, granted the protection to officers of the rank of joint secretary and above in the central government and its authorities. But on May 6, 2014, supreme court held the as invalid the provision of prior permission for CBI to conduct the investigation or preliminary inquiry against senior bureaucrats in corruption cases under prevention of corruption act.
The CJI said, corruption is a cancer for the country, need to track and punishing the corrupt public servant is necessary under the PC Act, 1988. The position of a officer does not qualify the person from exemption from equal treatment. The decision making power does not segregate corrupt officers into two class as they are common crimes doers and have to be tracked doen by the same process of inquiry and investigation.
Function of CBI
- Investigation cases of corruption, bribery and misconducting of central government employees.
- Investigation cases related to violation of fiscal and economic laws, such cases are taken up either in consultation with or at the request of the department concerned.
- Investigation of crimes related to gangs of professional criminals on national and international level.
- Investigation on request of a state government
- Maintaining crime statistics and disseminating criminal information.
- CBI act as a national central bureau of Interpol of India.
Vision of CBI
- Combating corruption in public life, curbing economic and violent crimes through investigating and legal proceedings.
- Effective system and procedures for successful investigation and legal proceedings of cases.
- Help to fight with cyber and high technology crime.
- Creating a healthy work environment that encourage team building, free communication mutual trust.
- Supporting state police and law enforcement agencies.
- To up hold the constitution of India and law of the land.
- Protecting the human rights
- Striving for excellence and professionalism in functioning of organisation and rise it to high level Endeavor and achievement.
Structure of CBI
CBI is headed by the director. He is assisted by a special director or an additional director. It has a number of joint directors, deputy inspector generals, superintendents of police and all other usual ranks of police personnel. Total, it has about 5000 staff members, about 125 forensic scientists and about 250 law officers.