CBI running at 50 percent strength, says former director

Former Central Bureau of Investigation special director D. R. Karthikeyan said that he had expected the Supreme Court to order the transferring of all cases relating to the Vyapam scam agency but bemoaned the fact that the CBI was running at 50 percent strength.

"[The Supreme Court's judgement] was expected. Even a week back, I said it was inevitable that the CBI gets this case, and it is a classic case for a CBI investigation. It can only be done by the CBI because of the magnitude of the offences and charges being made against people in high places. It is a mega scam," Karthikeyan said.

"The director of the CBI has to obey the Supreme Court orders but he has a huge shortage of investigating officers - the cutting edge inspectors. The vacancies are 50 percent of the sanctioned strength. Today, there are so many scams, so many SITs... The government and the court should look into this," he added.

The CBI will probe the Vyapam scam and more than 30 deaths allegedly linked to the job recruitment scandal, the apex court ruled today.

The apex court has sought the response of the CBI by July 24.