No separate act for CBI as of now: Govt

A panel had recommended a legislation on the lines of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008

There will be no separate act to govern functioning of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as of now, the government said on Thursday despite a Parliamentary panel's recommendation for "solid" statutory backing for the central probe agency.

Replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said no decision has been taken for enactment of a separate act for CBI.

"The Central Bureau of Investigation derives its legal powers from Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 as amended by Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 and Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013," Singh said.

Terming the existing legislation governing Central Bureau of Investigation as grossly inadequate, a Parliamentary Committee had suggested "solid" statutory backing for the agency through a separate new act.

The Committee, in its report tabled in Parliament on demands for grants in 2012, had recommended a legislation on the lines of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 so that the agency can probe corruption cases throughout the country without the states' consent.

The panel had said the DSPE Act, 1946 is grossly inadequate to cater to the agency.

"The committee is of the considered view that a solid statutory backing is needed for CBI and that the DSPE Act, 1946 is grossly inadequate to cater to CBI which is an organisation whose mandate has increased manifold," it had said.