Context: Chief Justice of India (CJI) recently said there was an immediate need for the creation of an independent umbrella institution, so as to bring various central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) under one roof.
He said the organisation should be headed by an independent and impartial authority.
He also highlighted that with the passage of time, like every other institution of repute, the CBI had also come under deep public scrutiny. Its actions and inactions had raised questions regarding its credibility, in some cases.
About Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
The CBI is the premier investigating agency of India.
Ministry: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
Role: It was originally set up to investigate bribery and governmental corruption. In 1965, it received expanded jurisdiction to investigate breaches of central laws enforceable by the Government of India, multi-state organised crime, multi-agency or international cases.
CBI is exempted from the provisions of the Right to Information Act.
CBI is India’s officially designated single point of contact for liaison with the Interpol.
The CBI headquarter: New Delhi.
About Enforcement Directorate (ED)
It is a law enforcement agency and economic intelligence agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crime in India.
Ministry: Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance
The prime objective is the enforcement of two key Acts:
The Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 (FEMA)
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA)
Headquarters: New Delhi
Five regional offices: Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Delhi headed by Special Directors of Enforcement.
