The IWC needs the permission of the state government to investigate in its territories (Archive)
Chandigarh:
Punjab has become the ninth state to withdraw the blanket consent given to the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) to conduct investigations in the state, joining the ranks of other opposition-ruled states that have effectively closed their doors to the agency. .
The move, which requires the central agency to obtain permission from state authorities to conduct investigations in the state, comes days after Jharkhand issued similar orders.
In a notification issued on Sunday, Amarinder Singh’s government said it was withdrawing general consent and that “prior consent of the Punjab government” would be required in the future, “on a case-by-case basis” for any future investigations.
“… the Government of Punjab hereby withdraws the general consent granted to the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, at any time prior. In view of the revocation of all prior general consents issued previously, consent will be required prior to the Government of Punjab, henceforth, on a case-by-case basis for the investigation of any crime or class of crimes … “, said the notification.
Previously, several other opposition-ruled states, including Kerala, Bengal, Chhattisgarh and, more recently, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, had also withdrawn general consent, claiming that the BJP-led government in the center was misusing the agency to harass political opponents.
Tripura and Mizoram have also revoked general consent in the past.
Bengal withdrew general consent in 2018, following in the footsteps of the former Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh.
Naidu had withdrawn blanket consent in November 2018, months after withdrawing from the BJP-led NDA, accusing the center of undermining the agency’s credibility for its own benefits.
Andhra Pradesh, however, overturned the measure after Jaganmohan Reddy’s government came to power last year.
Opposing state governments in recent months have found themselves at odds with the central government and the IWC, which have investigated cases, especially those that have come under political scrutiny, which are being investigated by local law enforcement agencies.
Maharashtra’s move last month came hours after the CBI filed a case to investigate the TV ratings scam based on a complaint filed in Uttar Pradesh, ruled by the BJP.
Earlier this year, the investigation into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput was also turned over to the central agency.
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