CBI must be given free hand

Central Bureau of Investigation is the premier investigative agency of the country. These days the corruption among politicians, bureacrats and among the other sections of society because of that the role of CBI is increasing fast day by day. But because of the premier agency being under the direct control of Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) , the allegation of political influence on its functioning is generally levelled. So by giving it autonomous status and making it transparent in its functioning, it would be more helpful in weeding out corruption, which is rampant at all levels, from the every sphere of society. On Friday last the son of the Chairman of National Commission of Sheduled Caste , former Union Minister and veteran Congress old guard Buta Singh, though he has been suspended from the party for contesting LS election as rebel candidate, Sarabjot Singh for his alleged involvement in the Rs. crore bribery case was arrested by CBI. A complaint was lodged with CBI by Ram Rao Patil a contractor of civic body of Nasik in Maharashtra that Buta Singh’s son Sarajit Singh demanded 3 crore for settling the case with NCSC of which his father is chairman. Patil also alleged that Sarabjot Singh took Rs. 1 crore as advance. The money was paid to him through the alleged hawala channel. For the last fifteen days, CBI was having regular track of him and it reportedly taped his phone talks with the Nasik civic body contractor Ram Rao Patil. CBI has claimed that it has water tight case against Sarabjot Singh. On the other hand, Buta singh has put everything into protecting his son and says that it is the conspiracy hatched against him under which his son has been implicated in the bribery case. He says that it is a political conspiracy against him. Sarabjot has reportedly confessed to CBI that he had informed his father about the promise about settlement process of the case with NCSC in advance. Congress party has already washed its hand off bribery case against Buta’s son and has said that law will take its own course and government will decide the issue of continuity of Buta singh as the Chairman of NCSC . Buta Singh is holding the constitutional post so CBI has to take permission if it required to questing him. Buta Singh is openly shielding his son and he is trying to get appointment with Prime Minister to tell him about the alleged bribery case against his son. As CBI is under the direct control of Prime Minister, it is to maintain fairness in its functioning at all costs. This is not the first time that Buta has come under the eye of storm. He had also become controversial when he was the Governor of Bihar. Whatever may be the authencity of the allegation against Buta Singh's son Sarajot Singh, the situation demands upon him to bequeath the constitutional post and let the CBI enquire into the case properly. In the capacity of the Chairman of a constitutional body, he can exert influence on CBI to favour his son during the investigation. Despite he is under expulsion from the Congress party for the time being, he is also an old Congress man in his right. So, it would be better if he would resign from the post of NCSC chairman to facilitate the CBI to probe the case without any sort of pressure. But he is not going to do so. That is why it is most necessary for the government to let CBI free to function as in the case of judiciary. The faith of the people in CBI is not strong because of its being under the direct control of the government. The impression has gone out in the public that CBI is used by the government to settle score with its opponents. This impression must be removed and it must be given free hand to root out corruption from the country.