Even now, any major crime or corruption takes place, ‘hand over the Case to CBI’ is the first demand that takes place politically and otherwise. The Central Investigation Agency (CBI), the most coveted force at the national level consisting of best of the police officers, has faced a critical jolt when two topmost officers leading the agency were forced to go on leave. On the one hand, when the bravery and contribution of police officers recognised in the form of National Police Memorial for the first time, the reputation of the highest investigation agency with the tagline of “Industry, Impartiality and Integrity” is under clout for many reasons. As expected, political slugfest and media gossiping are prevailing over the issue. The influential lawyers swung into action, and some urgent hearings would take place. The necessity for the Government to take action immediately after the feud between the top two officials of the CBI went out of hand provides a different kind of window opportunity which needs serious deliberations beyond the CBI versus CBI discussion.
Not long ago, the Supreme Court had passed the scathing remark denouncing the premier investigation agency as a ‘caged parrot’ and ‘its master’s voice’. Though a new kind of collegium was constituted to appoint the directors, the committee ultimately would appoint from the people available best. If your systems are not reformed with the changing times, and the same mindset and political favouritism continue to prevail from the entry point, you cannot expect individuals to display impeccable integrity once they reach the top. In this particular case, eventually not just the CBI but the credibility of all other agencies like Central Vigilance Commission, Intelligence Bureau and Enforcement Directorate will also be questioned.
Why all the threads related to the slugfest within the CBI lead to the Moin Qureshi Money Laundering Case, is the more critical question in this drama. Are there signs of the deep state, indicating certain foreign intervention, in this particular case, as many experts believe? Why cases related to coal scam, INX media, IRCTC scam etc. involving opposition leaders as key accused are slowed down? Is it the old establishment still trying to direct the investigation process, ultimately creating doubts about the intention of the present dispensation? These are the real questions that need to be asked.
The Court will hear the petitions filed by different aggrieved parties as per the legal provisions. Apparently, the Government had no option but to keep both the officers away from day to day functions to save the institution from a crisis.
The Narendra Modi led Government got the decisive mandate from the people to eradicate the evil of corruption. Besides right intent, how to do the institutional cleanup without getting in the trap of vendetta politics has been the real challenge for the Government. Even though the investigating agencies will have to report to the democratically elected government, how to give Election Commission or Controller and Auditor General kind of Constitutional Status to the investigating agency with proper checks and balances should be the practical approach.
The wider police reforms and inculcating the culture of ‘efficiency and integrity’ as expected by the founder director of CBI D P Kohli in 1960s. This is possible only if systemically we nurture the values of honour and prestige among our police officers as advised by Sardar Patel. The crisis should be seen as a window of opportunity by the political establishment, the opposition should respond positively, without thinking of any political mileague out of it.
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