CBI to press for autonomy before SC

CBI is likely to press before the Supreme Court that its demand for autonomy is legitimate and will pave the way for curbing interference in its functioning, two days after the government junked the agency's proposal for more power for its Director.
Highly-placed CBI sources said that the agency's proposal that its Director should report directly to the Minister of Personnel and Training is aimed at cutting red-tape as many files of the agency remain stuck at various levels in different ministries.
The sources said CBI understands the importance of accountability and its demands for more power are for carrying out its investigations in a timely manner.

Setting the stage for a standoff in the apex court on the autonomy issue, the Centre had on August 2 rejected CBI's stand for more power for its Director with a minimum three-year term, saying an all-powerful chief without checks and balances entails the risk of "potential misuse".
The matter will come up before the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The agency has demanded financial powers equivalent to that of secretary in the Union Government but the Centre has suggested such powers be equivalent to what is available with a Director General of a central police force.

The sources said the agency wanted a panel of counsel to be appointed by the CBI Director and that the practice of the Law Ministry providing lawyers should be stopped since the government can replace them any time.

The proposal of the agency wanting autonomy in appointing a panel of special counsel without government's approval was turned down by the Centre in its affidavit filed before the apex court last week, saying, "Any overriding powers of the Director over prosecution would compromise the impartiality".
The sources said the agency has been demanding financial autonomy to facilitate smooth investigations as many a time they get stuck in the absence of financial clearances from officials in the ministry.