The move makes it necessary for CBI to obtain permission from Maharashtra to conduct an investigation in the state.
New Delhi:
The Uddhav Thackeray-led government in Maharashtra withdrew on Wednesday the general consent that it extended to the Central Bureau of Investigation to carry out an investigation in the state, laying the groundwork for a new confrontation with the BJP. The measure makes it necessary for the central agency to obtain permission from the state government to conduct investigations in the state. Previously, several opposition-ruled states, including Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and most recently Rajasthan, had withdrawn blanket consent, effectively closing the doors to the IWC.
The Maharashtra government’s move also comes hours after the CBI filed a case to investigate the ratings scam based on a complaint filed in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh.
Mumbai police, who have accused three channels, including Republic TV, of manipulating viewership ratings, are investigating the case. Republic TV has denied any wrongdoing.
It is speculated that this could very well become the second instance of an investigation being directed from the Mumbai Police to the CBI through a BJP or NDA ruled state as in the Sushant Singh Rajput case.
Two months ago, in the Sushant Singh Rajput case, an FIR was filed in Bihar and the Supreme Court order in the matter ordered the CBI to take over the investigation from the Mumbai police.
The handover of the case to the CBI in the Sushant Rajput case had sparked a major dispute between the ruling Maharashtra alliance and the BJP, which rules Bihar in alliance with Nitish Kumar.
The Supreme Court order ensures that the state government’s measure will not affect the agency’s investigations in that case.
The issue of a CBI investigation into the Sushant Rajput case had sparked a major dispute between the ruling Maharashtra alliance and the BJP, which rules Bihar in alliance with Nitish Kumar.
Mumbai police had come under fire from a section for their handling of the case amid speculation that the 34-year-old actor who was found dead in his Mumbai apartment in June may have been killed.
Republic TV, which has openly criticized the Mumbai police, has accused them of carrying out a vendetta through the ratings case. The channel has demanded an investigation from CBI into allegations by Mumbai police that it had manipulated television ratings for profit.
On Saturday, following a complaint by “Golden Rabbit
Communications “, the Lucknow Police registered a case and the Yogi Adityanath government recommended an investigation by the CBI. Within 24 hours, the central government had approved the proposal.
.
