Central Buureau of Investigation (CBI)

Introduction to CBI

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is India's premier investigative agency.
• It primarily deals with corruption, economic offenses, special crimes, and high-profile cases.
• Established in 1963, it operates under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions.

Work of CBI

1. Anti-Corruption Investigations

• Investigates corruption cases against government officials, public servants, and politicians.
• Works under the Prevention of Corruption Act to prosecute bribery and misuse of power.

2. Economic Offenses

• Handles bank frauds, financial scams, money laundering, and cybercrimes.
• Investigates large-scale corporate frauds and tax evasion cases.

3. Special Crimes

• Deals with murders, kidnappings, organized crime, and terrorism-related cases that require specialized investigation.
• Investigates drug trafficking and arms smuggling.

4. High-Profile & Sensitive Cases

• Takes over cases of national importance when state police fail or when ordered by the government/courts.
• Handles cases referred by the Supreme Court, High Courts, or state governments.

5. Interpol & International Cases

• Works as India's liaison with Interpol for tracking criminals globally.
• Assists in extradition and international crime investigations.

6. Special Operations & National Security

• Sometimes involved in counterterrorism and security-related intelligence gathering.

CBI operates under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), but functions independently for investigations.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has handled many landmark cases in India, some of which had a significant impact on the country’s legal, political, and social landscape.

The most famous cases:

1. Bofors Scandal (1980s-1990s)

🔹 Case Summary:
A major arms deal corruption scandal where politicians and defense officials were accused of receiving kickbacks from the Swedish company Bofors AB for a defense contract.

🔹 Impact:
Allegations against then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi shook the Indian political system. Though no conclusive evidence was found against him, the scandal led to a loss of public trust.

2. 2G Spectrum Scam (2010)

🔹 Case Summary:
CBI investigated a multi-crore scam in which telecom licenses were given at below-market rates in 2008, causing an estimated loss of ₹1.76 lakh crore to the Indian government.

🔹 Key Accused:
A. Raja (then Telecom Minister), Kanimozhi, and several business executives.

🔹 Verdict:
In 2017, a special CBI court acquitted all accused due to lack of evidence, but the case exposed major flaws in India’s telecom allocation process.

3. Coal Block Allocation Scam (Coalgate) (2012)

🔹 Case Summary:
Allegations of corruption in the allocation of coal blocks to private companies without a proper bidding process, leading to a massive loss to the exchequer.

🔹 Key Accused:
Several politicians, bureaucrats, and industrialists.

🔹 Impact:
The Supreme Court canceled 214 coal block allocations in 2014, marking a huge legal victory against corruption.

4. Vyapam Scam (Madhya Pradesh, 2013-2015)

🔹 Case Summary:
A large-scale examination and recruitment scam where seats in medical colleges and government jobs were allegedly sold through fraudulent means.

🔹 Impact:
Over 40 mysterious deaths of witnesses and accused persons led to suspicions of foul play. CBI took over the case and arrested several politicians and officials.

5. Satyam Scam (India’s Enron, 2009)

🔹 Case Summary:
India’s biggest corporate fraud where the IT company Satyam Computers manipulated its financial statements to show fake profits.

🔹 Key Accused:
Ramalinga Raju (Founder & CEO) and top executives.

🔹 Verdict:
CBI proved fraud, leading to convictions, arrests, and regulatory changes in corporate governance laws.

6. Sheena Bora Murder Case (2015)

🔹 Case Summary:
A sensational murder case where Indrani Mukerjea, a high-profile media executive, was accused of killing her daughter Sheena Bora and trying to cover it up.

🔹 CBI Role:
Took over the case from Mumbai Police and exposed shocking details of the crime.

🔹 Impact:
The case revealed dark secrets of Mumbai’s elite society and is still under trial.

7. Unnao & Kathua Rape Cases (2018)

🔹 Case Summary:

• Unnao Case: A BJP MLA was accused of raping a minor girl in Uttar Pradesh.
• Kathua Case: An 8-year-old girl was brutally raped and murdered in Jammu & Kashmir.

🔹 CBI Role:
Took over the investigations after public outrage and Supreme Court intervention.

🔹 Impact:
Led to stricter rape laws and fast-track trials for sexual offenses.

8. Saradha Chit Fund Scam (2013)

🔹 Case Summary:
A ₹10,000 crore Ponzi scheme in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, where lakhs of investors were cheated.

🔹 Key Accused:
Sudipta Sen (Saradha Group Chairman) and politicians from multiple parties.

🔹 CBI Role:
Investigated political links and financial fraud.

9. Nirav Modi-PNB Bank Fraud (2018)

🔹 Case Summary:
Billionaire jeweler Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi defrauded Punjab National Bank (PNB) of ₹14,000 crore through fake bank guarantees.

🔹 CBI Role:
Issued Interpol Red Notices, leading to Nirav Modi’s arrest in the UK.

🔹 Impact:
Tightened banking regulations in India.

Jurisdiction & Powers

Jurisdiction:
CBI can investigate cases of national importance, corruption, fraud, and criminal conspiracy.

Powers:

• Investigates cases referred by State Governments, High Courts, and the Supreme Court.
• Conducts inter-state and international investigations.
• Works under the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946.
• Requires state government consent to investigate cases in a particular state unless directed by the Supreme Court or High Court.