Patna: In a significant move, the state govt has made prior consent compulsory for CBI probes against officials and institutions under its control, a Home department notification issued on Sept 3 said.The notification, issued under provisions governing the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE), the parent organisation of the CBI, states that the agency will have to seek the state govt’s consent before investigating state govt departments, corporations, companies, banks and other entities owned or controlled by the state.The requirement will also apply to institutions receiving financial assistance from the state govt. In such cases, the CBI will have to submit a proposal to the state govt, which will examine the request on a case-by-case basis before deciding whether permission should be granted.However, the order does not affect investigations involving Central govt undertakings and their employees. The notification clarifies that separate permission from the state govt will not be required in such cases, as consent for the exercise of CBI powers and jurisdiction has already been granted.The latest order follows a series of notifications issued by the Home department regarding the agency’s jurisdiction in Bihar. Officials said the move creates a separate consent mechanism for investigations involving state govt establishments while retaining the existing framework for cases related to Central govt institutions and personnel.
