Centre opposes plea on more powers to CBI

The Centre on Friday opposed in Supreme Court the plea made by the Central Bureau of Investigation that its director should get more powers and that his tenure should be extended to three years.  The government’s stand raises questions on its assurance of ensuring autonomy given to the Supreme Court, which had described CBI as a ‘caged parrot’ that has to be insulated from interference by political executives and external influences.

The Centre in an affidavit told the apex court, ‘An all powerful Director CBI without adequate checks and balances would not be consonant with settled Constitutional principles and would always carry the risk of potential misuse and may not be conducive to fearless and independent functioning of the organisation at all levels.’