CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Centre recently informed the Supreme Court that the CBI operates independently, stating that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) lacks functional control over the CBI's case investigations.

Central Bureau of Investigation

• Origin: The CBI was established as the Special Police Establishment in 1941, to investigate cases of corruption in the procurement during the Second World War.
• Formalised agency: to investigate allegations of corruption in various wings of the Government of India by enacting the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946.

o The CBI is not a statutory body but derives its power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.

• Establishment of the CBI: In 1963, the CBI was established by the Government of India with a view to investigate serious crimes  and maintain integrity in administration.

o The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964).

• Composition: There shall be a director of CBI who heads the department. 
• Nodal Ministry: Under the superintendence of the Department of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances which falls under the prime minister’s office.

Functions

• Its primary objective involves conducting investigations into violent crimes using a robust system and advanced technology.
• Its role extends to addressing and countering cybercrimes and crimes related to social platforms.
• Its presence serves to assist, oversee, and provide backing to law enforcement agencies when handling complex and high-profile cases.
• The agency is responsible for probing cases involving corruption, bribery, misconduct, and misbehavior among federal government employees.