'CBI not above the government,' says former director

The CBI is not at all independent and has been used by successive governments to serve their purposes, its former director, Joginder Singh alleged here today.

The country's premier investigative agency needs to be independent, but unfortunately it is not, he told reporters here.

"The CBI is not above the government and it is difficult to believe it functions independently," Singh said. "The agency has been used by successive governments to serve their interests and it is not at all independent," he said.

Favouring amendments in the Indian Police Act, the former CBI director said major reforms for efficient and effective policing are need of the hour. He said the judicial process needs to be reformed to enable quick disposal of cases.

To buttress his argument, Singh said a case in the Calcutta High Court had been pending for 185 years. It was filed by the then ruler of the state against acquisition of his land for Governor's house, he said.