The Punjab Government led under chief minister Amarinder Singh has taken back its ‘general consent’ from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigating cases in the state, and joining various non-BJP ruled states, who have passed on the similar move.
The other states, who had priorly acted on the move of withdrawing “general consent” to CBI are Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
As per the notification directed by the Congress-led Punjab government on November 8, it states that prior consent will be needed by the CBI, which adheres to the protocols by Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, for investigation of any cases in the state.
According to the notice directed by the Additional Chief Secretary, department of Home Affairs and Justice, “In exercise of the power conferred by section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (Central Act No 25 of 1946), the Government of Punjab hereby withdraws the general consent accorded to the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, anytime herein before.”
The notice further added, “In view of revocation of all previous general consents issued earlier, prior consent of the Government of Punjab shall be required, hereinafter, on a case-to-case basis for investigation of any offence or class of offences under section 3 of the aforesaid Act, by the Delhi Special Police Establishment.”
Earlier, the Punjab government had reversed the consent from CBI pertaining to the investigation of the 2015 sacrilege incidents, post which, the state assembly granted approval for a resolution with this regard in 2018. Further on, it transferred the investigation regarding the incidents of desecration of the religious texts to the special investigation team representing Punjab Police.
