Central Bureau of Investigation

The Bureau of Investigation traces its origins to the Special Police Establishment (SPE), a Central Government Police force, which was set up in 1941 by the Government of India to investigate bribery and corruption in transactions with the War and Supply Department of India. It had its headquarters in Lahore. The Superintendent of the SPE was Qurban Ali Khan, who later opted for Pakistan during the Partition of India.{{cite book |title=Central Bureau of Investigation: In Service of the Nation |chapter=A Colonial Corps: The Formative Years |chapter-url=http://cbi.gov.in/coffeetable/3.pdf |url=http://cbi.gov.in/coffeetable/coffeetable.php |publisher=Central Bureau of Investigation, Government of India |year=2010 |pages=31–50|archive-date=2018-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511013024/http://cbi.gov.in/coffeetable/3.pdf}} The first legal adviser of the War Department was Rai Sahib Karam Chand Jain. After the end of the war, there was a continued need for a central governmental agency to investigate bribery and corruption by central-government employees. Sahib Karam Chand Jain remained its legal advisor when the department was transferred to the Home Department by the 1946 Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.

{{See also|Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation}}

{{See also|Police ranks and insignia of India}}

The CBI is headed by a Director, an IPS officer with a rank of Director general of police. The current director of CBI is Praveen Sood, who was the former DG and IGP of Karnataka state police. The director is selected by a high-profile committee constituted under The Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946{{Cite web|date=19 November 1946|title=The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946|url=http://legislative.gov.in/sites/default/files/A1946-25.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222090431/http://legislative.gov.in:80/sites/default/files/A1946-25.pdf |archive-date=22 December 2018 }} as amended through The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, and has a two-year term which can be extended for another three years.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-15|title=Centre brings Ordinances to extend tenure of ED, CBI directors up to 5 years|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-ordinances-tenure-ed-cbi-directors-extended-7622361/|access-date=2021-11-15|website=The Indian Express|language=en|author=Deeptiman Tiwary}}

{{Update|section|date=August 2017}}

Gauhati High Court had given a verdict on 6 November 2013 that CBI is unconstitutional and does not hold a legal status.{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cbi-unconctitutional-illegal-guwahati-high-court/1/322095.html|title = Gauhati High Court rules CBI is 'unconstitutional'|date=2013-11-07|work=India Today}} However, the Supreme Court of India stayed this verdict when challenged by the central government and the next hearing on this is fixed on 6 December 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/cheat-sheet/supreme-court-stays-gauhati-high-court-s-order-that-held-cbi-unconstitutional-443884|title = Supreme Court stays Gauhati High Court's order that held CBI 'unconstitutional'|last=Vaidyanathan|first=A|editor-last=Das|editor-first=Mala|date=2013-11-09|publisher=NDTV}} It continues to derive its powers from Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.{{Cite web|title=CBI/About Us|url=https://cbi.gov.in/About-Us|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627213937/https://cbi.gov.in/About-Us |archive-date=27 June 2021 }}

Demanding independent investigations, the CBI said that although it deferred to the government's authority in non-corruption cases, the agency felt that sufficient financial and administrative powers were required by the director (including a minimum three-year tenure to ensure "functional autonomy"). "As such, it is necessary that the director, CBI, should be vested with ex-officio powers of the Secretary to the Government of India, reporting directly to the minister, without having to go through the DoPT", the agency said, adding that financial powers were not enough and it wanted a separate budget allocation.{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/unhappy-with-autonomy-offer-cbi-wants-more/1142821/0|title=Unhappy with autonomy offer, CBI wants more|date=12 June 2013|last=Anand|first=Utkarsh|access-date=2013-07-18|work=The Indian Express}}

The CBI Director is appointed, for not less than a term of two years, by the Appointment Committee on recommendation of Selection Committee as mentioned in DSPE Act 1946 amended through the Lokpal & Lokayukta Act 2013 and CVC Act, 2003{{Cite web|url=http://cbi.gov.in/aboutus/aboutus.php|title=Central Bureau of Investigation|website=cbi.gov.in|access-date=2019-12-17}} respectively. The Appointment Committee consists of:

• Prime Minister{{spaced ndash}}Chairperson
• Leader of Opposition of Loksabha or the Leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, if the former is not present due to lack of mandated strength in the Lok Sabha - member
• Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge recommended by the Chief Justice{{spaced ndash}}member

The Selection Committee constituted under Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946 nominates a certain number of names to the Appointment Committee, one among whom the Appointment Committee appoints as the CBI director. The Selection Committee consists of:{{Cite web|url=http://cbi.gov.in/aboutus/dspe.php|title=Central Bureau of Investigation|website=cbi.gov.in|access-date=2019-12-17}}

The NDA government, on 25 November 2014, moved an amendment bill to do away with the requirement of quorum in high-profile committee while recommending the names for the post of director CBI to the central government by introducing the clause "no appointment of a (CBI) director shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or absence of members in the panel" and to replace the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) with the leader of the single largest opposition party or pre-election coalition.{{cite web | url=http://cvc.nic.in/cvcact.pdf | title=CVC Act | publisher=CVC | access-date=30 April 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031006021106/http://cvc.nic.in/cvcact.pdf | archive-date=6 October 2003 }}

File:CBI Headquaters Delhi.jpg

CBI headquarters is a {{INRConvert|186|c}}, 11-storey building in New Delhi. The {{convert|7000|m2|sqft|adj=on}} building is equipped with a modern communications system, an advanced record-maintenance system, storage space, computerised access control and an additional facility for new technology. Interrogation rooms, cells, dormitories and conference halls are provided. The building has a staff cafeteria with a capacity of 500, gyms, a terrace garden, and bi-level basement parking for 470 vehicles. Advanced fire-control and power-backup systems are provided, in addition to a press briefing room and media lounge.{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pm-inaugurates-new-cbi-headquarters-building/783864/ |title=PM inaugurates new CBI headquarters building |work=The Indian Express|date=2011-04-30 |access-date=2013-04-26}}

On January 7, 2025, the Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, launched the CBI developed Bharatpol platform. It will help streamline the communication between local law enforcement authorities and Interpol. Rapid and secure transmission of Interpol notices will be guaranteed by the platform. 195 countries' Interpol references will be integrated for global assistance. Local agencies would be able to access the 195 countries' support requests instantly. Additionally, it will streamline capacity-building programs and document management and interchange. Requests for real-time data exchange, including the sending of Red Corner Notices (RCNs) and other alerts over a worldwide network, will be responded to by Bharatpol more quickly both domestically and internationally. Crimes like cybercrime, illegal drug trade, arms trafficking, human trafficking, and terrorism will be addressed with the assistance of Bharatpol. It will have access to 19 different kinds of Interpol databases.{{cite news |date=7 January 2025 |title=Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, inaugurates the BHARATPOL portal developed by CBI in New Delhi |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2090877 |access-date=8 January 2025 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |agency=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India}}{{Cite web |last=Manral |first=Mahender Singh |date=2025-01-07 |title=Amit Shah launches Bharatpol: how this portal aims to help probe transnational crimes |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-bharatpol-amit-shah-launched-9765386/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

Officers:{{cite web | url=https://doptcirculars.nic.in/Default.aspx?URL=eH4T9j3UKABo | title=URL Generated Report }}

• Director
• Special Director
• Additional Director
• Joint Director
• Deputy inspector general (DIG)
• Superintendent of Police (SP)
• Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl.SP)
• Deputy superintendent of police (Dy.SP)

Subordinates:

• Inspector
• Sub-Inspector (SI)
• Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI)
• Head constable (HC)
• Constable

The CBI Academy in Ghaziabad (east of Delhi) began in 1996.{{cite web |url= http://www.cbiacademy.gov.in/ |title= Welcome to CBI Academy School of eLearning |publisher= cbiacademy.gov.in |access-date= 11 October 2006 |archive-date= 19 December 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101219082112/http://www.cbiacademy.gov.in/ }} It is about {{convert|40|km}} from the New Delhi railway station and about {{cvt|65|km}} from Indira Gandhi International Airport. The {{cvt|26.5|acre|ha|adj=on}} campus, with fields and plantations, houses the administrative, academic, hostel and residential buildings. Before the academy was built a small training centre at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi, conducted short-term in-service courses. The CBI then relied on state police-training institutions and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad for basic training courses for deputy superintendents of police, sub-inspectors and constables.

In 2022, responding to a question, The Minister of state in the Prime Minister's office informed Rajya Sabha that a total of nine states had withdrawn general consent to the CBI to investigate cases in those states. The states include West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala and Punjab.{{cite news |title=Nine states withdraw general consent to CBI to investigate cases, says Jitendra Singh |url=https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=Nine-states-withdraw-general-consent-to-CBI-to-investigate-cases%2c-says-Jitendra-Singh&id=437820|date=2022-03-24 |access-date=28 March 2022 |work=newsonair.gov.in}} In June 2023, Tamil Nadu became the ninth state to withdraw consent.{{cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/tamil-nadu-10th-state-to-block-cbi-entry-into-state-without-consent-11686756818362.html |title=Tamil Nadu 10th state to block CBI entry into state without consent |date=14 June 2023 |work=Livemint}}

The CBI is the primary investigative agency for corruption cases involving Central Government employees under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act) and the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act. However, the scope of its jurisdiction has been subject to legal interpretations.

In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court held that the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), a state anti-corruption agency, also possesses the authority to investigate corruption cases involving Central Government employees within the state. The court reasoned that neither the PC Act nor the DSPE Act explicitly prohibits state agencies from investigating such cases.

This ruling underscores the complexities surrounding the jurisdiction of investigative agencies in corruption matters. While the CBI holds primary responsibility, state anti-corruption agencies may also possess concurrent jurisdiction in certain circumstances, depending on the specific provisions of relevant legislation and judicial interpretations.

The High Court observed that neither the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) nor the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act of 1946 explicitly prohibits state anti corruption agencies or state police from investigating corruption cases involving Central Government employees. Moreover, neither act grants exclusive investigative authority to the CBI, the Central Vigilance Commission, or any other Central Government entity.{{Cite news |date=2023-08-06 |title=VACB can register and probe corruption cases against Central govt. employees: HC |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/vacb-can-register-and-probe-corruption-cases-against-central-govt-employees-hc/article67164740.ece |access-date=2025-01-18 |newspaper=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |last=Pratap |first=Giti |date=2023-08-07 |title=State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau can investigate corruption cases against Central government employees: Kerala High Court |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/state-vigilance-and-anti-corruption-bureau-investigate-corruption-cases-central-government-employees-kerala-high-court |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Daily |first=Keralakaumudi |title=Vigilance can file case, even against central govt officers: High Court |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1123695&u |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Keralakaumudi Daily |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2023-12-15 |title=Madras HC dismisses plea to transfer case against arrested ED officer to CBI |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/madras-hc-dismisses-plea-to-transfer-case-against-arrested-ed-officer-to-cbi/article67642458.ece |access-date=2025-01-18 |newspaper=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

The court , therefore, held that "the VACB, being a specially constituted agency to investigate bribery, corruption and misconduct mainly under the PC Act is always clothed with the authority to investigate offences involving corruption that take place within the State, whether it is committed by a Central government employee or a State Government employee.{{Cite web |last=Benny |first=Navya |date=2023-08-07 |title=VACB Authorized To Investigate Offences Under Prevention Of Corruption Act Against Central Govt Employees: Kerala High Court |url=https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/kerala-high-court/kerala-high-court-vacb-authorized-investigate-offences-prevention-of-corruption-act-by-central-government-employees-234600 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=livelaw.in |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=HC: State cops can probe Central staff in graft cases |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/hc-state-cops-can-probe-central-staff-in-graft-cases-23129/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}

The CBI was originally constituted under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act to operate within the territory of Delhi. As policing and law is a subject that falls within state powers under the structure of Indian federalism, the CBI needs prior consent from other state governments in order to conduct investigations within their territory. This consent can be in the form of a 'general consent' under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, which remains in operation for all investigations until it is revoked, or alternatively, a 'specific consent' authorising investigations in individual cases.{{Cite web|date=2018-11-19|title=Explained: Why CBI needs consent, how far the denial will restrict it in Andhra, Bengal|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cbi-investigation-consent-andhra-pradesh-west-bengal-5452619/|author=Deeptiman Tiwary|access-date=2020-07-22|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=November 6, 2020|first=Prabhash K.|last=Dutta|title=What is general consent to CBI? How many states have withdrawn it?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/what-is-general-consent-to-cbi-1738499-2020-11-06|access-date=2020-11-09|website=India Today|language=en}} Once consent is granted, the CBI can investigate economic, corruption, and special crimes (including national security, drugs and narcotics, etc.)

Most Indian states had granted general consent to the CBI to investigate crimes within their territory. However, as of 2020, several states have withdrawn their 'general consent' for the CBI to operate, and require a special consent to be granted on a case to case basis. In November 2018 West Bengal government withdrew general consent for the CBI to investigate, and accused the Central Government of using federal agencies to destabilise state politics.{{Cite web|date=2018-11-17|title=CBI war spills to state vs Centre: Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal bar the agency|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cbi-war-spills-to-state-vs-centre-andhra-pradesh-west-bengal-bar-the-agency-5450853/|access-date=2020-07-22|website=The Indian Express |language=en}} Andhra Pradesh restored general consent in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Bhosekar|first=Prasad|date=2019-06-04 |title=CBI general consent restored in Andhra Pradesh |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-cbi-general-consent-restored-in-andhra-pradesh-2756869|access-date=2020-11-09|website=DNA India|language=en}} Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra have given general consent to the CBI after elections.{{Cite web|date=21 October 2020|title=Maharashtra withdraws 'general consent' to CBI|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maharashtra-withdraws-general-consent-to-cbi/articleshow/78794112.cms|access-date=2020-10-22|website=The Times of India|language=en}} In November 2020, Kerala, Jharkhand, and Punjab withdrew general consent to the CBI.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-05|title=Kerala revokes general consent for CBI probes |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/kerala-withdraws-general-consent-to-cbi-6943442/|access-date=2020-11-09|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-11-09|title=Punjab Becomes Ninth State to Revoke General Consent for CBI Probe |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/punjab-becomes-ninth-state-to-revoke-general-consent-for-cbi-probe-3063176.html|access-date=2020-11-09 |website=News18|language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Jharkhand Becomes Eighth State To Withdraw General Consent For CBI Probe |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jharkhand-becomes-eighth-state-to-withdraw-general-consent-for-cbi-probe-2321266|access-date=2020-11-09 |website=NDTV.com}}Mizoram had previously withdrawn general consent to the CBI as well.{{Cite web|title=Maharashtra Among Five States To Withdraw General Consent To CBI |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-maharashtra-among-five-states-that-have-withdrawn-general-consent-to-cbi/362761|access-date=2020-11-09|website=Outlook India|date=22 October 2020 }} Meghalaya withdrew consent in March 2022,{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/sc-state-government-consent-cbi-investigation-7617317/ |title=General consent for the CBI: The law, and political reasons for its denial |work=The Indian Express |date=12 November 2021 |author=Deeptiman Tiwary}} and Tamil Nadu withdrew consent in June 2023, and Karnataka in 2024. Altogether, eight states require prior consent before the CBI can investigate crimes in their territory.

The High Courts and the Supreme Court have the jurisdiction to order a CBI investigation into an offence alleged to have been committed in a state without the state's consent, according to a five-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court (in Civil Appeals 6249 and 6250 of 2001) on 17 February 2010. The bench ruled: {{blockquote|text=Being the protectors of civil liberties of the citizens, this Court and the High Courts have not only the power and jurisdiction but also an obligation to protect the fundamental rights, guaranteed by Part III in general and under Article 21 of the Constitution in particular, zealously and vigilantly.|sign=Five-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court of India|source={{cite web|title=Supreme Court judgement on power of courts to order CBI probe |url=http://indiankanoon.org/doc/330231/|publisher=indiankanoon.org|access-date=11 July 2012}}}} The court clarified this is an extraordinary power which must be exercised sparingly, cautiously and only in exceptional situations.{{cite news|title=Courts can order CBI probe without states' consent: SC|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-02-17/news/28455289_1_order-cbi-probe-apex-court-constitution-bench |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505163429/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-02-17/news/28455289_1_order-cbi-probe-apex-court-constitution-bench |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=11 July 2012|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=17 February 2010}}

{{main|Right to Information Act}}

CBI is exempted from the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005. This exemption was granted by the government on 9 June 2011 (with similar exemptions to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Directorate General of Income Tax Investigation and the National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid)) on the basis of national security. It was criticized by the Central Information Commission and RTI activists, who said the blanket exemption violated the letter and intent of the RTI Act.{{cite news|title=Central Information Commission slams CBI's proposed exemption from RTI |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/central-information-commission-slams-cbis-proposed-exemption-from-rti-116314|access-date=2 June 2012 |date=3 July 2011}} The exemption was upheld in Madras High Court.

• Anti Corruption Division
• Handles cases involving public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
• Economic Offences Division
• Investigates bank frauds, financial scams, and serious economic crimes.
• Special Crimes Division
• Handles cases like murders, crimes of national importance, and high-profile cases referred by states or courts.
• Directorate of Prosecution
• Prosecution related matters.
• Administration Division
• Deals with administrative and policy-related matters.
• Policy & Coordination Division
• Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL)

CBI, operationaly is divided into zones.

Each zonal office is headed by a Joint Director and oversees multiple branch offices within its jurisdiction. Major zonal offices are located in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh. These offices control specialized units such as Anti-Corruption Branches (ACBs), Economic Offences Branches (EOBs), and Special Crimes Branches (SCBs) within their regions, ensuring effective investigation, administrative support, and inter-agency coordination at the regional level.{{Cite web |title=Network of CBI |url=https://cbi.gov.in/cbi-network}}

Each Special Crime Branch (SCB), Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) and Economic Offences Branch is headed by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or Superintendent of Police (SP). They are assisted by Addl.SPs, DySPs, inspectors, sub-inspectors, and constables.

{{Disputed section|date=August 2024}}

The CBI's annual conviction rate:

The CBI recruits personnel through both direct and indirect methods. Direct recruitment primarily occurs through the Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) exam, filling entry-level positions for subordinate staff. Indirectly, superior officer positions (Group A) are predominantly filled by deputing experienced and meritorious officers from the Indian Police Service (IPS) cadre and sometimes from Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Cadre. Additionally, subordinate positions can be filled by deputing personnel from various state police forces, union territory police, and other law enforcement agencies.

Officers from State Police Services (SPSs) across India, holding ranks ranging from Deputy superintendent of police (DSPs) to Additional superintendent of police (Addl. SP), as well as subordinate ranks like Inspector and Sub-Inspector of Police, can be deputed to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In 2013, Judge of the Supreme Court of India (and later Chief Justice of India) R. M. Lodha criticized the CBI for being a "caged parrot speaking in its master's voice", due to its excessive political interference irrespective of which party happened to be in power.{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/cbi-supreme-court-parrot-coal-idINDEE94901W20130510 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220025736/http://in.reuters.com/article/cbi-supreme-court-parrot-coal-idINDEE94901W20130510 |archive-date=20 December 2015 |title=A 'caged parrot' - Supreme Court describes CBI |agency=Reuters |author=Ross Colvin and Satarupa Bhattacharjya |date=10 May 2013 |access-date=10 May 2013 }}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CBI-a-caged-parrot-heart-of-Coalgate-report-changed-Supreme-Court/articleshow/19952260.cms |title=CBI a 'caged parrot', 'heart' of Coalgate report changed: Supreme Court |work=The Times of India |date=8 May 2013 |access-date=8 May 2013 }}

Because of the CBI's political overtones,{{cite web | url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/cbis-on-off-raids-how-congress-bureau-of-investigation-works-669666.html | title=CBI's on-off raids: How 'Congress Bureau of Investigation' works | publisher=firstpost.com | date=21 March 2013 | access-date=2013-04-26 | author=Venky Vembu}} it has been exposed by former officials such as Joginder Singh and B. R. Lall (director and joint director, respectively) as engaging in nepotism, wrongful prosecution and corruption. In Lall's book, Who Owns CBI, he details how investigations are manipulated and derailed.{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-11-27/india/27799838_1_cbi-joint-director-hawala-official-letters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103163030/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-11-27/india/27799838_1_cbi-joint-director-hawala-official-letters |archive-date=3 November 2012 |title=Origin of Hawala funds were not traced | first1=Vishwa |last1=Mohan |newspaper=The Times of India |date=27 November 2006}} Corruption within the organisation{{cite news|title=CBI Arrests Own Cop in Bribery Case |url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=775478|access-date=18 September 2012|newspaper=The Outlook India|date=17 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502151654/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=775478|archive-date=2 May 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=754366 |title=Adarsh Scam: CBI Arrests Own Lawyer, Ex-Cong MLC |date=6 March 2012 |access-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502151002/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=754366 |archive-date=2 May 2013}}

has been revealed in information obtained under the RTI Act,{{cite news |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?261778 |title=Grease on the Lens |author=Saikat Datta |publisher=outlookindia.com |date=21 September 2009 | access-date=9 October 2010}} and RTI activist Krishnanand Tripathi has alleged harassment from the CBI to save itself from exposure via RTI.{{cite news |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/apr/060410-Delhi-RTI-activist-complaint-CIC-CBI.htm |title=CBI is harassing me |author=Anshuman G Dutta |publisher=Mid-Day |date=4 June 2011 | access-date=14 June 2011}} The states that have withdrawn consent to the CBI have accused the CBI of being a tool used by the Union Government to unfairly target parties ideologically rivaling them.

Normally, cases assigned to the CBI are sensitive and of national importance. It is standard practice for state police departments to register cases under its jurisdiction; if necessary, the central government may transfer a case to the CBI. The agency has been criticised for its mishandling of several scams.{{cite web | url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/investigation/cbi-has-long-history-of-listening-to-its-political-masters-voice | title=CBI has long history of listening to its political master's voice | work=The Sunday Guardian | access-date=1 February 2012 | archive-date=7 February 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207101040/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/investigation/cbi-has-long-history-of-listening-to-its-political-masters-voice }}{{cite web | url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?269847 | title=Restoring Public Confidence in CBI | publisher=outlook india | date=30 December 2010 | access-date=1 February 2012}}{{cite web | url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-congress-bureau-of-investigation | title=The Congress Bureau of Investigation: Big stick politics. Will it ever end? | publisher= Open The Magazine | date=6 April 2013 | access-date=22 April 2013}} It has also been criticized for dragging its feet investigating prominent politicians, such as P. V. Narasimha Rao, J. Jayalalithaa, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav; this tactic leads to their acquittal or non-prosecution.{{cite news | url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/investigation/cbi-ineffective-in-dealing-with-political-cases | title=CBI ineffective in dealing with political cases | work=The Guardian | date=26 January 2013 | access-date=2013-05-19}}

{{Main|Bofors scandal}}

In January 2006 it was discovered that the CBI had quietly unfrozen bank accounts belonging to Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, one of those accused in the 1986 Bofors scandal which tainted the government of Rajiv Gandhi.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} The CBI was responsible for the inquiry into the Bofors case. Associates of then-prime minister Rajiv Gandhi were linked to alleged payoffs made during the mid-1980s by Swedish arms firm AB Bofors, with US million{{clarify|date=October 2023}}in kickbacks moved from Britain and Panama to secret Swiss banks. The 410 howitzers purchased in the US million arms sale were reported to be inferior to those offered by a French competitor.

The CBI, which unfroze {{INRConvert|21|c}} in a London bank in accounts held by Bofors, accused Quattrocchi and his wife Maria in 2006 but facilitated his travel by asking Interpol to take him off its wanted list on 29 April 2009.

After communications from the CBI, Interpol withdrew the Interpol notice on Quattrocchi.{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-28/india/28053713_1_bofors-scam-bofors-payoff-case-red-corner-notice | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505210251/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-28/india/28053713_1_bofors-scam-bofors-payoff-case-red-corner-notice | archive-date=5 May 2013 | title=Bofors scam: Quattrocchi off CBI's wanted list | date=28 April 2009| access-date=22 December 2011 | work=The Times of India | location=NEW DELHI}}

{{main|Hawala scandal}}

{{See also|Vineet Narain}}

A 1991 arrest of militants in Kashmir led to a raid on hawala brokers, revealing evidence of large-scale payments to national politicians. The Jain hawala case encompassed former Union ministers Ajit Kumar Panja and P. Shiv Shankar, former Uttar Pradesh governor Motilal Vora, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yashwant Sinha. The 20 defendants were discharged by Special Judge V. B. Gupta in the {{INR}} 650-million case, heard in New Delhi.

The judge ruled that there was no prima facie evidence against the accused which could be converted into legal evidence. Those freed included Bharatiya Janata Party president L. K. Advani; former Union ministers V. C. Shukla, Arjun Singh, Madhavrao Scindia, N. D. Tiwari and R. K. Dhawan, and former Delhi chief minister Madan Lal Khurana. In 1997 a ruling by late Chief Justice of India J. S. Verma listed about two dozen guidelines which, if followed, would have ensured the independence of the investigating agency. Sixteen years later, successive governments circumvent the guidelines and treat the CBI as another wing of the government. Although the prosecution was prompted by a public-interest petition, the cases concluded with no convictions. In Vineet Narain & Others v Union of India AIR 1996 SC 3386, the Supreme Court ruled that the Central Vigilance Commission should have a supervisory role over the CBI.{{cite web |title=Vineet Narain Case, Directions of the Court |url=http://cbi.nic.in/dop/judgements/excrpts.pdf |date=2 November 2006 |access-date=22 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408220529/http://cbi.nic.in/dop/judgements/excrpts.pdf |archive-date=8 April 2011 }}

{{main |Priyadarshini Mattoo}}

In this case Santosh Kumar Singh, the alleged murderer of a 25-year-old law student, was acquitted for what the judge called "deliberate inaction" by the investigating team. The accused was the son of a high-ranking officer in the Indian Police Service, the reason for the CBI's involvement. The 1999 judgment noted that "the influence of the father of the accused has been there". Embarrassed by the judgment, CBI Director R. K. Raghavan appointed two special directors (P. C. Sharma and Gopal Achari) to study the judgement. The CBI appealed the verdict in Delhi High Court in 2000, and the court issued a warrant for the accused. The CBI applied for an early hearing in July 2006; in October the High Court found Singh guilty of rape and murder, sentencing him to death.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}}

{{Further|Sister Abhaya murder case}}

This case concerns 27 March 1992 death of a nun who was found in a water well in the Saint Pius X convent hostel in Kottayam, Kerala. Five CBI investigations have failed to yield any suspects. The case was solved finally in December 2020 where the Main Accused were sentenced to life imprisonment by The Kerala High Court.

The CBI has been accused of supporting the ruling Indian National Congress against its opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party. The CBI is investigating the Sohrabuddin case in Gujarat; Geeta Johri, also investigating the case, claimed that the CBI is pressuring her to falsely implicate former Gujarat minister Amit Shah.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/29/stories/2010082960770100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831042723/http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/29/stories/2010082960770100.htm |archive-date=31 August 2010 |title=CBI putting pressure on me: Geeta Johri |date=29 August 2010 |author=J. Venkatesan |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=9 October 2010}}

Sant Singh Chatwal was a suspect in CBI records for 14 years. The agency had filed two charge sheets, sent Letters rogatory abroad and sent a team to the United States to imprison Chatwal and his wife from 2–5 February 1997. On 30 May 2007 and 10 August 2008 former CBI directors Vijay Shankar and Ashwani Kumar, respectively, signed no-challenge orders on the imprisonment. Later, it was decided not to appeal their release.

This closed a case of bank fraud in which Chatwal had been embroiled for over a decade. Along with four others, Chatwal was charged with being part of a "criminal conspiracy" to defraud the Bank of India's New York branch of {{INRConvert|28.32|c}}. Four charges were filed by the CBI, with Chatwal named a defendant in two. The other two trials are still in progress. RTI applicant Krishnanand Tripathi was denied access to public information concerning the closed cases. The Central Information Commission later ordered the CBI to disclose the information; however, the CBI is exempt from the RTI Act (see above). Chatwal is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan.{{cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/for-his-padma-chatwal-should-thank-two-directors-of-the-cbi/573276/0 |title=For his Padma, Chatwal should thank two directors of the CBI |date=30 January 2010 |author=Ritu Sarin |newspaper=The Indian Express |access-date=14 June 2011}}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CIC-tells-CBI-to-release-Chatwal-discharge-reports/articleshow/8260455.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826003236/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-12/india/29535406_1_sant-singh-chatwal-fraud-cases-bank-officers |archive-date=26 August 2012 |title=CIC tells CBI to release Chatwal discharge reports |date=12 May 2011 |newspaper=The Times of India |url-status=live |access-date=14 June 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://www.indiankanoon.org/doc/1273938/ |title=CIC Judgment for disclosure of information by CBI |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=14 June 2011}}

{{Main|Malankara Varghese murder case}}

This case concerns 5 December 2002 death of T. M. Varghese (also known as Malankara Varghese), a member of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church managing committee and a timber merchant. Varghese Thekkekara, a priest and manager of the Angamali diocese of the rival Jacobite Syrian Christian Church (part of the Syriac Orthodox Church), was charged with murder and conspiracy on 9 May 2010. Thekkekara was not arrested after he was charged, for which the CBI was criticised by the Kerala High Court and the media.{{cite web |url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article426396.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129013412/http://newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article426396.ece |archive-date=29 November 2013 |title=Malankara Varghese murder: HC questions CBI |date=1 June 2010 |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=9 October 2010}}

{{Main|Bhopal disaster}}

The CBI was publicly seen as ineffective in trying the 1984 Bhopal disaster case. Former CBI joint director B. R. Lall has said that he was asked to remain soft on extradition for Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/was-told-to-go-soft-on-warren-anderson-former-cbi-official-30511.php|title=Was told to go soft on Warren Anderson: Former CBI official|publisher=NDTV}} and drop the charges (which included culpable homicide). Those accused received two-year sentences.{{cite web |url=http://www.theistimes.com/tag/ucil/ |title=UCIL | The Indian Sub-continent Times |publisher=Theistimes.com |access-date=2013-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221054528/http://www.theistimes.com/tag/ucil/ |archive-date=21 February 2011 }}

{{main|2G spectrum case}}

The UPA government has been accused of allocating 2G spectrum to corporations at very low prices through corrupt and illegal means. The Supreme Court cited the CBI many times for its tardiness in the investigations;{{cite web |url=http://thestatesman.co.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=346689&catid=35&Itemid=53 |title=SC pulls up CBI for tardy spectrum probe |publisher=Thestatesman.co.in |date=15 January 2010 |access-date=14 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425092929/http://thestatesman.co.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=346689&catid=35&Itemid=53 |archive-date=25 April 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.internationalreporter.com/News-6224/2g-spectrum-scam-supreme-court-pulls-up-cbi.html |title=2G spectrum scam: Supreme Court pulls up CBI | News Today |publisher=International Reporter |date=29 October 2010 |access-date=14 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405152836/http://www.internationalreporter.com/News-6224/2g-spectrum-scam-supreme-court-pulls-up-cbi.html |archive-date=5 April 2012}} only after the court began monitoring its investigations{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/2g-spectrum-scam-supreme-court-will-monitor-inquiry-72900 |title=2G spectrum scam: Don't let anyone influence you, says Supreme Court to CBI |publisher=Ndtv.com |date=16 December 2010 |access-date =14 December 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sc-holds-raja-prima-facie-guilty-will-monitor-2g-probe/1/123465.html |title=Supreme Court decides to monitor 2G scam probe: Investigations News – India Today |publisher=Indiatoday. intoday.in |date=16 December 2010 |access-date =14 December 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sc-to-monitor-cbi-probe-into-2g-spectrum-scam/137604-3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217234725/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sc-to-monitor-cbi-probe-into-2g-spectrum-scam/137604-3.html |archive-date=17 December 2010 |title=SC to monitor CBI probe into 2G spectrum scam – India News – IBNLive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |access-date =14 December 2011}} were high-profile arrests made.

{{Main|Indian coal allocation scam}}

This is a political scandal concerning the Indian UPA government's allocation of the nation's coal deposits to private companies by the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which cost the government {{INRConvert|10673.03|b}}. CBI director Ranjit Sinha submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court that the coal-scam status report prepared by the agency was shared with Congress Party law minister Ashwani Kumar "as desired by him" and with secretary-level officers from the prime minister's office (PMO) and the coal ministry before presenting it to the court.{{cite web|author=Liz Mathew, Sahil Makkar |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/ro6i2Q8IONoQlhSICaQAkL/Coal-scam-report-shared-with-law-minister-Ashwani-Kumar-CBI.html |title=Coal scam report shared with law minister: CBI |publisher=Livemint |date=2013-04-26 |access-date=2013-05-09}}

{{Main|2008 Noida double murder case}}

This is a double murder case of 14-year-old girl Aarushi Talwar and 45-year-old Hemraj Banjade from Noida, India. On 26 November 2013, parents of the girl, Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders.{{cite news |title=Aarushi Talwar: Parents Rajesh and Nupur get life for double murder |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-25099020 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=BBC News |date=26 November 2013}} In January 2014, the Talwars challenged the decision in the Allahabad High Court.{{cite news |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/aarushihemraj-twin-murder-case-rajesh-nupur-talwar-challenge-conviction-in-allahabad-hc/447028-3-242.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124001036/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/aarushihemraj-twin-murder-case-rajesh-nupur-talwar-challenge-conviction-in-allahabad-hc/447028-3-242.html | archive-date = 24 January 2014 | title = Aarushi-Hemraj twin murder case: Rajesh, Nupur Talwar challenge conviction in Allahabad HC | date = 22 January 2014 | publisher = CNN-IBN }} The High Court's acquitted them of all charges on 12 October 2017 because of the lack of 'irresistible proof'.{{cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aarushi-talwar-hemraj-murder-case-verdict-live-allahabad-high-court-to-deliver-verdict-today-1761856 |title=Allahabad High Court acquits the Talwars |publisher=NDTV }} The Allahabad HC in its verdict said that there were loopholes in the evidence which found the parents not guilty. Court also said that CBI tampered with evidence and tutored witnesses. Questions arose by nation on investigation and judgement given by CBI court.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/aarushi-murder-case-cbi-tampered-with-evidence-tutored-and-planted-witnesses/articleshow/61075439.cms |title=Aarushi murder case: 'CBI tampered with evidence, tutored and planted witnesses|work=The Times of India|access-date=14 October 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/aarushi-murder-case-cbi-cdfd-connived-to-put-talwars-in-dock-says-allahabad-hc/articleshow/61075144.cms|title=Aarushi murder case: CBI, CDFD connived to put Talwars in dock, says Allahabad HC|work=The Economic Times|access-date=14 October 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/aarushi-hemraj-murder-case-cbi-goofed-up-in-rush-to-prosecute-talwars-probe-agencies-should-get-their-act-right-4140119.html|title=Aarushi-Hemraj murder case: CBI goofed up in rush to prosecute Talwars; probe agencies should get their act right |publisher=Firstpost|access-date=14 October 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/aarushi-talwar-murder-case-rajesh-talwar-nupur-talwar-hemraj-allahabad-high-court-cbi-witness-was-tutored-and-evidence-tampered-4889448/|title=Aarushi-Hemraj murder: Allahabad HC demolishes CBI, says witness was tutored and evidence tampered|work=The Indian Express|access-date=14 October 2017}}

2024 Kolkata rape and murder case

{{Main|2024 Kolkata rape and murder case}}

This is a rape and murder case of a 31 year old female post-graduate trainee doctor at the R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, India. On 13 December 2024, the former R. G. Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and the station house officer of the Tala Police Station Abhijit Mondal were granted bail by the Sealdah Court in Kolkata for destruction of evidence in the 2024 Kolkata rape and murder case as the CBI failed to file a chargesheet against Ghosh and Mondal within a span of 90 days.{{Cite news |date=2024-12-13 |title=RG Kar Ex-Principal Sandip Ghosh Gets Bail In Doctor's Rape-Murder Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rg-kar-ex-principal-sandip-ghosh-gets-bail-in-doctors-rape-murder-case-7240179 |access-date=2024-12-13 |publisher=NDTV}} This has led to a widespread outrage as the victim's parents were not satisfied with the CBI investigation stating that evidence had been destroyed by Ghosh and Mondal.{{Cite news |date=2024-12-19 |title=No faith in CBI probe, RG Kar victim's parents tell HC, seek fresh trial |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/no-faith-in-cbi-probe-rg-kar-victims-parents-tell-hc-seek-fresh-trial/articleshow/116479189.cms |access-date=2024-12-19 |work=The Times of India}}

• The CBI has been portrayed in multiple Indian films across languages. Most notably in the Malayalam film franchise CBI Film Franchise scripted by SN Swamy and directed by K Madhu with veteran actor and film producer Mammootty portraying the lead role of CBI officer Sethurama Iyer.
• The movie Special 26 is a popular heist thriller where a group poses as CBI officers. This movie shows real law enforcement agencies, including the CBI, investigating the fake CBI officers.
• The series Scam 1992 – The Harshad Mehta Story shows CBI investigating Harshad Mehta's case.

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• Bhar, Sujit. {{cite web |url=https://www.indialegallive.com/column-news/cbi-madhav-godbole-nia-ed/ |title=CBI: A white elephant? |work=India Legal |date=24 October 2020 |access-date=24 October 2020}}

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