THat the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is celebrating its diamond jubilee, comes as a milestone in the history of India’s premier national anti-corruption agency. Throughout these years, the agency has seen good and difficult times but has emerged stronger. In fact, in the past few years, it has been in headlines more than ever, given the number of high-profile investigations launched against the political leaders and their affiliates. Starting as Special Police Establishment during the British rule, the agency was renamed and reorganised as CBI on April 1, 1963. In its long history especially in post-Independence period, CBI has faced several situations. In the recent history, CBI has earned many an epithet including ‘Congress Buerau of Investigations’ and ‘caged parrot’ due to allegations that it acted at the behest of the political dispensation in power. At the same time, there have been voices favouring CBI to have autonomy in true sense and also having directly recruited cadre instead of Indian Police Service officers on deputation. Amid these two scenarios, CBI has been functioning as an institution that invites awe of the common people.

With its motto of ‘Industry, Impartiality, Integrity’ and efforts of dedicated officers, it is the nodal police agency in India that co-ordinates investigation on behalf of Interpol member countries. In the past few years, it has evolved too. It has been successful in gaining teeth with high-profile cases, extradition of fugitives, and also taking to social media for wider public outreach. As it is celebrating its diamond jubilee, expectations from the agency will be greater. The common people still have faith in CBI, as has been rightly stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the agency’s diamond jubilee event. They believe that if a case is handed over to CBI, there will be impartial probe and likelihood of conviction of the accused will increase. Hence, one sees, demands pouring in from ordinary citizens or victims in various cases registered across the country.

As far as action against political leaders is concerned, especially the Opposition parties are peeved. In a State like Maharashtra, the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Government did not want CBI to investigate some cases. Hence, it accused CBI of acting at the behest of Central Government, and withdrew general consent to the agency. As such, CBI was required to have State Government’s permission to take over investigation. Later, with MVA Government’s collapse and new dispensation coming to power, the general consent to CBI was restored. However, just like accusations of CBI acting at the behest of Central Government, withdrawal of general consent to the premier anti-corruption agency has become a potent political tool. More recently, several States including West Bengal, Telangana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Mizoram withdrew general consent to CBI. All these are obviously creating troubles for the operations of CBI. Irrespective of the constraints pertaining to regular cadre, better autonomy, and other matters including more powers, CBI has proved itself to be a professional and efficient organisation. Given the changes in the last some years, and techological edge, budget, new offices, and better attention, CBI will indeed add to its glory. As India will march into the year celebrating the centenary of her Independence from the British Raj, CBI may emerge as one of the top-class investigating agencies in the world, actively engaged in rooting out corruption from Government establishments. For, a corruption-free Government establishment ensures better transparency and strengthens democracy.