Initiation of any Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against an officer of the joint secretary-rank or above will need the prior concurrence of the agency’s director who is the competent authority in authorising such investigations along with the special director and the additional director.
Further, according to a circular issued by the CBI, any complaint against a Union minister must be forwarded to the home ministry and the relevant file should remain in the personal custody of concerned CBI unit’s head.
The circular contained instructions as part of the CBI’s new mechanism to strengthen its internal mechanism to ensure diligence, fairness and professionalism in such probes in the wake of Supreme Court’s recent invalidation of section 6A of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act necessitating prior government sanctions.
“This is to ensure that the enhanced power is tempered by a greater sense of responsibility and accountability,” said CBI’s spokesperson Kanchan Prasad.
Verification of such a complaint against an official should be completed within three months.