'SC's observations augur well for CBI'

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials on Wednesday expressed hope that the Supreme Court's (SC) observations over the agency's affidavit on the coal probe would herald better times for the agency. "This could be a step towards making CBI autonomous. Or at least, more actionable measures would be taken, now that SC has raised the matter," a senior official said. Agency officials, however, were not sure about how CBI's independence would be established.

Many former chiefs said no political party wanted to give up control over the agency. Parties use CBI to settle political scores, one said. There's a general feeling of unease within the organisation, a source said. The official stance of the agency on the matter, as stated by senior advocate U U Lalit, was that "CBI will follow directions of the Supreme Court in letter and spirit".

Officers at the plush New Delhi office of the investigative agency remained glued to television sets throughout the day, as news channels gave a blow by blow coverage of the events at the apex court.

CBI chief Ranjit Sinha remained out of office, as he was on an official trip to Lucknow and Patna.