Governments abusing CBI and ACB, Charges Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today accused both the Union and State Governments of misusing the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and the ACB (Anti Corruption Bureau) respectively to serve the ruling party interests.

Party General Secretary D. V. V. S. Varma told the media that the CBI had sought to drop investigation into a case of disproportionate assets against former UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and his kin at the instance of the Union Government. The same CBI had sought to reopen similar cases against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati in July 2008. Apparently, the Government wanted to reward Mr. Mulayam Singh for backing it and punish Ms. Mayawati for opposing it in the confidence motion on the nuclear deal.

In Andhra Pradesh, the State Government had watered down the powers of the ACB. In a recent instance, the Government prevented the ACB from pursuing a case of disproportionate assets against a motor vehicles inspector.

In contrast, Mr. Varma told the media, the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the U. S. arrested the Governor of Illinois on the charge that he sought to sell the U. S. senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

To prevent the Governments at both the Center and in the States from interfering in crime investigation, the agencies should be made totally autonomous, demanded Mr. Varma. Special courts should be constituted to go into corruption cases against politicians and top officials and measures initiated for the confiscation of ill-gotten properties.