CBI – Director

Why in News? CBI Director Praveen Sood is set to receive a one-year extension as the high-level selection committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, could not finalize a successor.

Relevance : UPSC Pre & Mains

Prelims : CBI

Mains :  GS 2/ GS 3

Appointment of CBI Director:

Selection Process

• The CBI Director is appointed as per the provisions of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, amended in 2014.
• The high-level committee for selection comprises:
  1. Prime Minister (Chairperson)
  2. Chief Justice of India (or a Supreme Court judge nominated by the CJI)
  3. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha

Term

• The Director serves a fixed term of two years, which can be extended under special circumstances.
• Extensions are granted by the government based on administrative requirements and approvals from the concerned authorities.

Criteria

• The candidate must be an IPS officer of the Director General (DG) or Additional DG rank, with proven integrity and service in anti-corruption or investigative roles.

Composition of the CBI

• The CBI operates under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, which reports directly to the Prime Minister’s Office.
• It has the following divisions:

Anti-Corruption Division: Investigates corruption among public officials.

Special Crimes Division: Handles serious crimes, including murder and kidnapping.

Economic Offenses Division: Investigates fraud, scams, and financial crimes.

Policy and International Police Cooperation Division (Interpol): Coordinates with Interpol for international cases.

Functions of the CBI:

Anti-Corruption Investigations:

1. • Investigates cases of corruption and misconduct by public servants.

Criminal Investigations:

1. • Handles high-profile cases referred by state governments or the judiciary.

Economic Offenses:

1. • Probes financial frauds, tax evasion, and embezzlement.

Coordination with Interpol:

1. • Issues notices and assists in locating fugitives.

Judicial References:

1. • Investigates cases directed by the Supreme Court or High Courts.

Policy and Advisory Role:

• Advises the government on crime prevention and investigative techniques.

Challenges in CBI Appointments:

• Political Interference: Selection and functioning are often criticized for lack of independence.
• Vacancies and Delays: Prolonged decision-making in appointments can disrupt agency operations.
• Accountability vs. Autonomy: Balancing the agency’s operational autonomy with accountability remains contentious.

 Conclusion:

The CBI plays a crucial role in India’s justice system by investigating corruption and complex crimes. Transparent and timely appointments, along with functional independence, are essential for maintaining the agency’s integrity and efficiency. The recent developments highlight the need for consensus-driven decision-making in key appointments to uphold public trust in the agency.