Law on CBI autonomy needs to be amended: SC

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the law on CBI`s autonomy will have to be amended. Hearing the Coalgate case, the apex court – which had earlier described the Central Bureau of Investigation as a "caged parrot" speaking its master`s voice – said, "Law on CBI autonomy will have to be amended. Let the amendments come in Parliament, since the law has to be enacted by the legislature." The court said if Parliament fails to make law on the autonomy for CBI, it may make ad hoc arrangements to ensure the same. The SC also asked the CBI to come with their view on the affidavit filed by central government "on the steps taken by them (government) on CBI autonomy". It may be noted that the government had earlier filed an affidavit in the apex court on CBI autonomy on its directions. In the affidavit, the government had listed proposals to grant greater autonomy to the CBI. The SC, meanwhile, expressed satisfaction with the government proposal on setting up a panel to appoint the CBI director. The panel would include the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India.