CBI biased: Karnataka revokes nod to agency to probe cases in state

Congress-ruled Karnataka on Thursday joined the growing list of non-BJP-ruled states to withdraw general consent to the CBI, thereby blocking the federal agency from conducting seamless investigations of alleged crimes in their jurisdiction.

The Karnataka Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, took the decision at a time when the opposition BJP in the state is seeking a CBI probe into the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scam. The case involves alleged illegalities in MUDA’s allotment of 14 sites to Siddaramaiah’s wife.

Unfair conduct

We have seen that the CBI works with prejudice. Its conduct has led us to come to the decision that it is biased. HK Patil, State Law minister

Announcing the decision, Law Minister HK Patil rejected insinuations that the revocation of consent to the CBI was linked to the BJP’s call for a CBI probe into the MUDA scam.

“It is clear that the CBI or the Union Government while using their instrumentalities are not using them judiciously. The CBI is biased. The notification granting general consent to the CBI to probe criminal cases in Karnataka under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946, has been withdrawn.” The consent would now be accorded to the CBI on a case specific basis, he said.

Justifying the decision, Patil said, “We have seen that the CBI works with prejudice. Its conduct has led us to come to the decision that they are biased.”

The decision follows a Special Court’s order on Wednesday allowing a Lokayukta police probe against Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case.

“On CM, there is a court order for a Lokayukta probe, so there is no such question,” Patil said when asked if the decision was rooted in saving the CM. In 2023, Punjab, Jharkhand, Kerala, West Bengal, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh were on the list of non-BJP-ruled states that had withdrawn general consent to the CBI. When the BJP came to power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, it reversed the move. A recent parliamentary committee report had said the withdrawal of general consent by some states severely limited the CBI’s powers to investigate crucial cases and advocated a new law to ensure its seamless working. The CBI is covered by the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946.