'Act without fear or favour', PM to CBI

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to act "without fear or favour" and away from the media glare to bring the corrupt to book, irrespective of their position and status.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to act "without fear or favour" and away from the media glare to bring the corrupt to book, irrespective of their position and status.

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"The CBI should act without fear or favour and bring to book all those who are guilty, irrespective of their position or status. I would advise you to put your heads down and work hard, away from media glare, to ensure early resolution of the (corruption) cases," he said at the inauguration of the CBI's new state of the art building in CGO Complex.

He said it was important for the CBI to ensure its judgement was always rooted in "hard evidence", and not be influenced by extraneous factors.

"Ours is an open and free society. There will be many views, and opinions on all issues. CBI has to be sensitive to these but it has always to do what is right and correct."

He also said, "There should be no vendetta, no witch hunt, and no harassment of the innocent. There should be no apprehension of punitive action for bona fide mistakes, as we cannot afford an environment that breeds fear, inaction and indecision."