Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has jumped on the bandwagon of non-BJP-ruled states that have withdrawn the ‘general consent’ for the CBI to function in their respective jurisdictions. Maharashtra, which issued a similar order last month, was the last state to do so.
The state cabinet took the decision on Wednesday. Hereafter, CBI can only investigate cases in Kerala after consulting and getting due consent of the state government. The state’s decision however cannot prevent the agency from taking up court-sanctioned cases. A formal order in this regard will be issued on Thursday, sources said.
It has been decided to withdraw the notification based on the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946 which gave the central agency power to conduct investigations in the state. The CBI had powers to suo motu take up cases in the state.
The state government will issue an executive order withdrawing the general consent. However, this will also not affect ongoing investigations.
The immediate provocation was the CBI probe into the Life Mission project, a flagship programme of the CPM-led government.
The investigation was initiated based on a complaint filed by Congress MLA Anil Akkara, who represents Wadakkancherry constituency. The agency had summoned the chief executive officer of Life Mission and other officials based on the complaint. This had irked the state government.
The probe was launched after names of key accused in the Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling scandal popped up in connection with the project in Wadakkancherry. There were reports of the project getting foreign funding and that the main links in the smuggling racket had landed a commission on the project.
However, the high court had issued an interim stay on CBI’s probe into the scandal.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had himself come down heavily on the CBI, alleging it of crossing boundaries by interfering with policy decisions of the state government.
The CPM is of the view that the Centre is using central agencies for its political ends.
The party politburo had earlier urged state governments to withdraw the general consent given to the CBI.