Congress tamed CBI as its pet, autonomy of CBI is necessary, says Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday called for autonomy of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), after the government told the Supreme Court saying that an all powerful director without checks and balances entailed the risk of "potential misuse” in an affidavit.

BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, however, rubbished the Centre’s contention, saying that the latter is misusing the CBI to fulfill its vested interests.

“They have to free the CBI and we also want that during the current parliament session the government discusses the issue of its autonomy. The issue is not just about its autonomy, but also various questions related to its misuse, which have been raised time and again,” he said.

“The way this Congress led government has tamed CBI as its pet and used it for its various political interests, there have been many cases which have confirmed the same and therefore it becomes necessary that the CBI is rescued from the clutches of this government as soon as possible,” he added.

“Government is duty bound to protect its citizens against misuse of power and arbitrary action by any institution. Authority without accountability will be draconian.” The Central Government had said on Friday.

The Supreme Court has described the present functioning of the CBI as being that of a 'caged parrot'.