CBI Can No Longer Probe Cases In Andhra: CBN Government Withdraws ‘General Consent’ Allowing Jurisdiction In State

Andhra Pradesh’s Chandrababu Naidu-led government has withdrawn permission given to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to carry out probes and subsequent investigations in the state, Bangalore Mirror has reported.

The Anti Corruption Bureau of the state government has now been tasked carrying put the CBI’s duties in the state instead. The report says that the state government measure may lead to disruption in the centre-state functioning with far-reaching consequences on the federal structure.

Having been created through the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946, the CBI has complete jurisdiction over institutions based in Delhi to probe corruption in central government bodies. Apart from Delhi, if the agency wishes to enter any state, it needs the approval of the state government with most states issuing the ‘General Consent’ notification every year.

The move is the latest in Naidu’s attack on the Central government as he continues to question the integrity and credibility of other central bodies like the income tax department and Enforcement Directorate.

Having parted ways with the NDA, the Andhra Chief Minister is now seemingly at the forefront of efforts to build up a coalition of opposition parties with eyes on the Lok Sabha elections next year.