Central Bureau Of Investigation

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the country's anti-corruption agency. It investigates criminal situations and serves as India's Interpol agency. The CBI Academy is situated in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. In 1966, the academy was founded. It has grown into a major police training facility over the years. In addition, three Regional Training Centers (RTC) have been established by CBI in Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai for the same purpose.

While CBI is an entirely statutory body, people often have this misconception that it does not fall under any ministry, which is not true. If you are asked about CBI comes under which ministry, you must answer that CBI gets operated under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Now let’s delve into other details such as CBI ranks, how CBI works etc. 

About CBI

• The CBI was founded in 1941 as the Special Police Establishment to investigate cases of procurement corruption during World War II.

• The foundation of the CBI or the motto of CBI was later suggested by the Santhanam Committee on Corruption Prevention. The CBI was thereafter established by a Home Affairs Ministry resolution. Later, the Ministry of Personnel took over the CBI's responsibilities, and it now functions as an affiliated office.

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Central Bureau of Investigation Structure and Functions

As you are already aware that CBI comes under which ministry or their motto, now is the right time to learn about CBI ranks and work in detail. Read on to know more in detail.

Structure of CBI

A director, an IPS officer with the rank of Director General of Police or Commissioner of Police, leads the CBI (State). For a period of two years, the director is appointed.

A committee can appoint the director of the CBI under the revised Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. The members of the committee are as follows:

1. Prime Minister (Chairperson)

2. Leader of Opposition

3. Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge recommended by the Chief Justice.

Composition of CBI

The director heads the CBI. A Special Director or an Additional Director assists him. It also has a number of joint directors, deputy inspector generals, superintendents of police, and other police officers in the customary levels.

The Director of the CBI, as Inspector-General of Police of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, is in charge of the organization's management. With the passage of the CVC Act in 2003, the Central Government assumed control of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, with the exception of investigations conducted under the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988, which are overseen by the Central Vigilance Commission.

By the CVC Act of 2003, the Director of the CBI is guaranteed a two-year term in office. The CVC Act also establishes a process for selecting the Director of the CBI and other CBI personnel with the rank of SP or higher.

The Central Government appoints the Director of the CBI on the recommendation of a committee that includes the Central Vigilance Commissioner as Chairperson, the Vigilance Commissioners, the Secretary to the Government of India in charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Secretary (Coordination and Public Grievances) in the Cabinet Secretariat.

What is The Work of CBI?

• The CBI is the government of India's primary investigative agency. It is not a formal entity; rather, the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946 gives it authority.

• Its principal function is to prevent corruption and protect administrative integrity. In situations relating to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, it is supervised by the CVC (Central Vigilance Commission).

• Investigate instances involving violations of economic and fiscal rules, such as customs and central excise laws, export and import controls, income tax, foreign exchange regulations, and so on. Cases of this sort, on the other hand, are investigated by the CBI at the request of the relevant department or in conjunction with it.

• Investigate severe crimes perpetrated by professional criminals or organised gangs that have national and international implications.

• To coordinate the efforts of various state police units and anti-corruption organisations.

• The CBI can also investigate any case of public concern at the request of a state government.

• Keeping track of crime statistics and sharing criminal data.

• India's representation for INTERPOL correspondence is the CBI.

Director of CBI

• The Director of the CBI, in his position as Inspector General of Police of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, is in charge of the organization's management.

• Until 2014, the CBI Director was appointed under the 1946 DSPE Act. The Lokpal Act of 2014 established a body to appoint the CBI Director:

1. The Prime Minister is in charge.

2. Other members include the Leader of the Opposition/the single largest opposition party, as well as the Chief Justice of India/a Supreme Court Judge.

3. DoPT receives a list of eligible candidates from the Home Ministry. The DoPT then compiles a final list based on seniority, honesty, and experience in anti-corruption investigations and sends it to the committee.

• By the CVC Act of 2003, the Director of the CBI is guaranteed a two-year mandate.

List of CBI Directors in India Since 2001

How Different is The CBI From the State Police?

• State police are primarily responsible for maintaining peace and order in the state. Cases involving central government workers or involving central government affairs could be investigated by the CBI.

• Cases in which the central government's financial interests are at stake.

• Cases involving violations of central legislation, the enforcement of which is primarily the responsibility of the Indian government.

• Large-scale examples of fraud, deceit, embezzlement and other similar crimes committed by organised gangs of professional criminals have consequences in multiple states.

• Cases involving multiple governmental agencies and including interstate and international consequences when it is deemed necessary for a single investigating agency to be in charge of the investigation.

CBI, on the other hand, has been chastised for its handling of various scams. It has also been accused of deferring to central government commands. The CBI, according to many political and constitutional experts, lacks the necessary authority to function as an impartial investigation body. Furthermore, there is no legislative structure that supports the existence and operation of CBI.