The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be given powers to take suo motu cognisance of crimes that have national ramifications, a parliamentary committee has said.
NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be given powers to take suo motu cognisance of crimes that have national ramifications, a parliamentary committee has said.
Making wide-ranging recommendations, the committee, in its report on the “Working of Central Bureau of Investigation” tabled in parliament on Tuesday, suggested that a law be enacted granting the agency powers to play a proactive role in collection of intelligence, creating institutional memory and capacity building.
Briefing journalists about the recommendations, the committee’s chairman EMS Natchiappan identified terror acts, human trafficking, smuggling and black marketing as crimes that could be classified as federal crimes to be dealt with by the CBI directly.
Localised and piecemeal battles against such crimes cannot succeed, the committee said.
The committee said that by the time CBI is handed over cases like terror attacks, precious time elapses which not only results in loss of local evidence but also provides ample time for criminals to escape.
The panel also suggested that a separate anti-terrorism wing be created in the CBI with powers to act on intelligence inputs collected by the central government to ensure prevention of crimes.
“It is high time that we have demarcation of federal crimes and state-level incidents. The amendment will rectify the present situation wherein the Centre is handicapped in the name of federalism, from making use of intelligence they gather, thereby failing to prevent the crime and punish the criminals,” Dr Natchiappan said.
Welcoming the report, former CBI director Joginder Singh expressed serious doubts about it being implemented. He recalled that when former home minister LK Advani had proposed such a move, CMs of various states opposed it vehemently.
“They are motivated by self-preservation and selfishness. The government survives on the support of MPs and MLAs. Why would they want to get into trouble?” he said.
s_rajesh@dnaindia.net
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