Current Affairs

News
CBI may lose its prosecution power, no consensus on PM

NEW DELHI: The parliamentary panel on Lokpal is likely to recommend that CBIs prosecution powers be hacked and a separate autonomous wing for prosecution be created. The standing committee on law and justice is likely to allow CBI powers to investigate cases under the supervisory control of the Lokpal. In a nod to Team Annas demand, the investigation and prosecution wings of the government may be split while giving Lokpal overall control on cases of corruption. The panel is likely to recommend that CVC continue to function separately from Lokpal. The panel may also suggest bringing down the number of government nominees in the committee set up to select the Lokpal members. The standing committee on law and justice also discussed whether the position of the prime minister should be brought within the bill but with two divergent views, the issue was deferred to the next meeting. Speaking after the meeting, committee chairman Abhishek Singhvi said, With these two meetings over four hours, we have covered 10 to 12 significant and contentious issues. A few difficult ones remain including the issue of inclusion of PM. We hope to complete discussion on those including the Lokpals powers to tap phones, punishment for corrupt, content of the Lokayuktas and removal of the Lokpal. As usual, the meetings were intense, productive and fruitful. A panel member said Singhvi referred to the three agencies as the holy trinity and observed that there was need to maintain an equilibrium. This is opposed to Team Annas demand that CBI and CVC be brought under the Lokpal. Sources close to the deliberations said taking away powers of prosecution from CBI made for a persuasive argument and was accepted by members. A panel member said, If there is a complaint of corruption it will first go to the Lokpal for a preliminary inquiry. If the Lokpal finds merit in the complaint, it will be forwarded to the CBI that will investigate the matter. Lokpal will have a supervisory role to play over CBI. The CBI will then forward the complaint to the directorate of prosecution for action.

                                                                                                               
Back
Created by SaasVaap Techies pvt ltd