The Congress-led Punjab government on Monday revoked the general consent accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate cases, joining several other states ruled by non-BJP parties that have effected a similar move.
From now on, the CBI agency has to seek permission from the state government on a case-to-case basis.
In a notification issued on Sunday, the Amarinder Singh government said it was withdrawing general consent and “prior consent of the Government of Punjab” would be required in the future, on a “case-to-case basis” for any future investigation.
Also Read: Jharkhand Govt. Withdraws ‘General Consent’ Granted To CBI To Investigate Cases In The State
“…the Government of Punjab hereby withdraws the general consent accorded to the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, anytime herein before. 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…” the notification said.
Earlier, several other opposition-ruled states, including Kerala, Bengal, Chhattisgarh and, more recently, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, had also withdrawn general consent, alleging that the BJP-led government at the centre was misusing the agency to harass political opponents.
Tripura and Mizoram also have revoked general consent in the past.
Bengal withdrew general consent in 2018, following the steps of the erstwhile Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh
