Central Bureau of Investigation

Why is in news? CBI registers preliminary inquiry in alleged football fixing case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), functioning under Department of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances.

It is the premier investigating police agency in India.

It is an elite force playing a major role in preservation of values in public life and in ensuring the health of the national economy.

It is also the nodal police agency in India, which coordinates investigation on behalf of Interpol Member countries.

Originally set up to investigate bribery and governmental corruption, in 1965 it received expanded jurisdiction to investigate breaches of central laws enforceable by the Government of India, multi-state organised crime, multi-agency or international cases.

The agency has been known to investigate several economic crimes, special crimes, cases of corruption and other cases.

CBI is exempted from the provisions of the Right to Information Act.

CBI is India's officially designated single point of contact for liaison with the Interpol.

The CBI headquarter is New Delhi.

The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964).

It provides assistance to the Central Vigilance Commission and Lokpal.

In 2014, the Lokpal Act provided a committee for appointment of CBI Director: Headed by Prime Minister, Other members - Leader of Opposition/ Leader of the single largest opposition party, Chief Justice of India/ a Supreme Court Judge.

Home Ministry sends a list of eligible candidates to DoPT. Then, the DoPT prepares the final list on basis of seniority, integrity, and experience in the investigation of anti-corruption cases, and sends it to the committee.

Director of CBI has been provided security of two year tenure, by the CVC Act, 2003.

In November 2021, the President promulgated two ordinances to allow the Centre to extend the tenures of the directors of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate from two years to up to five years.