CBI should have direct recruitment at Inspector or DSP level, says parliamentary panel

The CBI has a sanctioned strength of 480 posts of sub-inspectors filled through direct recruitment, promotions and departmental examinations in the ratio of 70:15:15.

The report recommended that there should be "a provision for direct recruitment of candidates in the rank of inspector of police/deputy superintendent of police (DSP)".

The positions at the rank of inspector, DSP and ASP are filled either through promotion or deputation and limited departmental competitive examination in different ratios.

The data published in the report shows that investigation was pending in 1,025 CBI cases as on January 31, 2022, with 66 of them pending for more than five years. The data also shows a decline in the cases registered by the CBI annually.

From about 1,000-1,150 cases registered by the CBI during 2012-17, the number has dipped to 600-900 cases between 2017 and 2021.

The agency was also staring at the staggering 10,232 cases in which trial was pending in 2021.

The premier agency has shown a decline in the number of cases which resulted in the conviction of the accused, the data in the report showed.

From 743 cases which resulted in a conviction in 2012, the numbers slipped to 544 in 2018, 467 in 2019, 169 in 2020 and 202 in 2021.

"As on March 31, 2022, 19 under-investigation cases were stayed by the Honourable Supreme Court and High Courts," the Committee noted. The Committee expressed concerns that cases have been pending for over 20 years.

"Therefore, the committee recommends that CBI should put a case management system in place to track the progress of the case and pursue it to its logical conclusion. This will not only expedite the disposal of cases but will also enhance transparency and promote accountability in the functioning of CBI," it said.

The panel also noted that, as per the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, sanction for prosecution should be granted by the competent authority within three months, which may be extended by a further period of one month.

The committee asked whether the Act or the Rules framed thereunder provide for any remedy in the event of sanction for prosecution not being granted within the stipulated period.

Expressing concerns that nine states have withdrawn their general consent to CBI, the panel said this hampers seamless investigation of cases, especially those of complex nature involving multiple agencies spread across many states and those involving foreign elements.