CBI will not be able to investigate Karnataka cases without permission, big decision of Siddaramaiah government

On Thursday, the Karnataka government withdrew the general consent given to the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe cases within its territory. Following the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said, 'The notification giving general consent to the CBI to investigate criminal cases in the state of Karnataka under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 has been withdrawn'.

Indeed, under Section 6 of the DSPE Act, 1946, for the purpose of any investigation, prior consent from the concerned state government is required before the CBI takes up investigation matters within its jurisdiction. HK Patil told the media, "This has been done because it is clear that the CBI or the central government are not using their resources judiciously while using them. So, we will verify every case and then give permission for CBI investigation, general consent has been withdrawn."

Is this to save the chief minister, who is being investigated in the Mysore Urban Development Authority site allotment case? Patil replied, "There is a court order for Lokayukta investigation in that case pertaining to the chief minister, so such question does not arise." Day by day, he said, apprehensions are being voiced that CBI is being misused in many cases.

Chargesheets were also not filed in many of the cases given either by the state government to the CBI or taken over by the agency. They refused to file chargesheets. They refused to investigate many mining cases, Patil said.

Asked if the government has done so in view of the BJP's demand for a CBI probe into the misuse of funds of the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, the minister retorted, "It has nothing to do with it, as the matter is in court, the court will decide."