New Delhi, Dec 28: The CBI is undergoing a makeover
with creation of new posts and major technological
modernisation of all its investigating branches being
undertaken in a time-bound manner.
Sources in the country's premier investigating agency
said that the Central Forensic Science Laboratory along with
its training Academy in Ghaziabad are also being modernised,
with a "fervour to establish the agency as the best in the
world".
While new posts like Joint Director East, West, South and
North are being created to effectively control all its three
investigative branches -- Anti-Corruption Division, Economic
Offences Wing and Special Crimes division -- in the four
regions, officials said an elaborate computer learning
programme has also been initiated.
The agency which has hired agencies like the Centre for
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to give suggestions
for modernisation is also planning to include more hi-tech
gadgets and online investigations, something which officials
said would help probes to be completed within a year.
Also, a new CBI building with computerised access control
and Wi-Fi besides other latest technology is being constructed
at a cost of Rs 137.72 crore.
"There have been a lot of handicaps for us because of
various reasons. We now have initiated a complete
modernisation process which will make us more prepared to
tackle the emerging nuances of the new world of crime," a
senior CBI official said.
The official said, "The new Joint Directors for various
regions would be looking after all the three branches in his
region unlike earlier where we had different heads. The
headquarters set up would remain the same."
The agency has also planned out more in-take of legal
heads to make the Directorate of Prosecution, which looks
after prosecution aspects of CBI cases, function to its
highest ability.
As part of its revamp plan, the CBI next year would also
induct 38 "Gen next" sub-inspectors who are currently
undergoing training at the CBI Academy.
The new breed of officers would be given minimal arms
training but would undergo extensive hi-tech skills training.
"We have taken out the arms training module for them and
have concentrated on increasing their hi-tech skills like
using the latest software and gadgets which would be useful
in their investigation," an official said.
He said with every second terror strike having a vital
link to cyberspace, the agency has decided to train new
officers more on cracking cyber crimes rather than focus on
target shooting with arms.
The CFSL, one of the most advanced forensics
laboratories, is also being completely revamped with the
latest technology being added to all its departments,
especially the DNA and ballistics division.
In its urge to the world's best, the CBI has also started
the groundwork to get itself listed with some of the new
databases of the Interpol than the regular Nominal database
which carries just picture and basic information of people
against whom the 187-member strong world police organisation
has issued notices.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, December 28, 2008, 00:00