Openness and independence of CBI is important: Sandeep Dikshit

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has to remain open and be allowed to function in an independent manner, said Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit here on Monday.

"There is no official stand of the (Congress) party right now. Openness and independence of CBI is very important. In fact our government took the first stance last time when we have led it through the Lokpal bill appointment of CBI director independently. And I have also placed certain powers with the CBI," said Dikshit.

"My only other thing is that we need to think about increasing the accountability of the CBI. It is my personal opinion. CBI seems to be occasionally filing cases and doing raids on people, whose reputation gets maligned and then half of the time we don't know what is happening after that," he added. "In terms of cases, normally there is a rate, time limit of about three to six months in which you should file cases. They go on for three to six years. Officers and others get totally maligned when the CBI does not take any action. So I think when we are talking about opening up of CBI, we also need to press on its accountability," said Dikshit.

Unsure of the impact of RTI on CBI, Dikshit said that, "If BJP spokesperson has said something then may be the government has something on their mind. But they need to bring it out, share with the public and then we see what kind of accountability they are building. Because it can't be just one sided issue of RTI opening up.  The investigating agency, CBI, which was suddenly exempted from ambit of Right to Information Act in June 2011, has recently come under pressure to be brought under the sphere of the RTI.