Central Bureau of Investigation: History, Vision, Structure, Functions & Challenges of CBI

Central Bureau Investigation: Historical Perspective: A Special Police Establishment (SPE) was established in the British Indian Department of War in 1941 to investigate claims of bribery and corruption in war-related procurements during the Second World War. Bypassing the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, it was later formally established as a government of India organisation to look into claims of corruption in several government departments. The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946 gives the CBI the authority to conduct investigations.

Current director of CBI: Praveen Sood (From May 2023)

List of CBI Directors of India (In Short)

The Government of India established the CBI in 1963 to look into serious crimes involving the defence of India, high-level corruption, serious fraud, cheating, and embezzlement, as well as social crime, particularly hoarding, black-marketing, and profiteering in essential commodities with national and interstate implications.

Crimes Handled by the CBI Anti-Corruption Crimes – for investigation of cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Public officials and the staff of the Central Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Corporations, or Bodies owned or controlled by the Government of India.

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Crimes relating to Fake Indian Currency Notes, Bank Frauds, Cyber Crime, Import Export and Foreign Exchange Violations, Large-Scale Smuggling of Narcotics, Antiques, Cultural Property, and Other Contraband Items, etc. Economic Crimes for Investigation of Major Financial Scams and Serious Economic Frauds.

What is Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): India’s top investigative police force is the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Department of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India, a division of the prime minister’s office, oversees its operations. However, the Central Vigilance Commission oversees investigations into offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

About Central Bureau investigation cases

Special Crimes – for investigation of serious and organised crime by the Indian Penal Code and other laws on the requests of State Governments or on the orders of the Supreme Court and High Courts – such as cases of terrorism, bomb blasts, kidnapping for ransom, and crimes committed by the mafia/the underworld.

Suo Moto Cases – The CBI can only suo moto investigate crimes in Union Territories.

The assent of the State Government in question is required before the Central Government can give the CBI permission to probe a crime in a State. However, without the permission of the State, the Supreme Court and High Courts can direct CBI to look into a crime anywhere in the nation.

Central Bureau Investigation India: Director

The administration of the organisation is the responsibility of the Director of CBI, who also serves as the Inspector General of Police for the Delhi Special Police Establishment. The DSPE Act, of 1946 served as the foundation for the CBI Director’s appointment up to 2014.

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On the recommendation of the Supreme Court in the Vineet Narain case, the DSPE Act was changed in 2003. The Central Government would receive recommendations for the nomination of the CBI Director from a committee that included members from the Central Vigilance Commission and secretaries from the Home Ministry, Ministry of Personnel, and Ministry of Public Grievances.

The Lokpal Act of 2014 established a committee for the appointment of the CBI Director led by the prime minister. Other members include the Chief Justice of India and a judge on the Supreme Court, as well as the leader of the major opposition party.