This order is an attempt to release 'Caged Parrot':" Madras High Court asks Central govt to enact separate law to give 'statutory status' to CBI
The Madras High Court has issued a slew of directions in an attempt to improve the functioning of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and to put an end to its "caged parrot" status (Ramanathapuram District Pathikkapattor Sangam v. The State of Tamil Nadu).
The directions were passed by a Bench Justices N Kirubakaran and B Pugalendhi, which expressed concern that the CBI is prone to drag its feet despite demands for CBI inquiries in several sensitive cases.
"This order is an attempt to release the "Caged Parrot" (CBI)," the Court said.
Among other directions, the Court directed the Central government to enact a separate law at the earliest to give statutory status to CBI.
Currently, the CBI derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946 and the validity of CBI itself is under challenge before the Supreme Court.
"The independence of CBI is necessary for an impartial, neutral, credible investigation of the cases investigated by it. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in Hawala case viz., Vineet Narayanan Vs. Union of India, observed that “CBI” is a caged parrot speaking in its master's voice. The said observation of the Hon'ble Supreme Court is fortified by the statement made by the CBI Director before the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Coal allocation case that a former Law Minister meddled with the statement of CBI filed before the Hon'ble Supreme Court," the Madras High has recounted in its order.
