After Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal withdraws ''general consent'' to CBI

Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service
Hyderabad, Kolkata November 16

In a somewhat controversial order, the Andhra Pradesh Government has passed an order withdrawing permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) entering the state. This was followed by the West Bengal Government also withdrawing the 'general consent'.

The “general consent” to the CBI to exercise its authority stands withdrawn with immediate effect, a senior official said.

This follows the recent raids on Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders in Hyderabadand and other places in Telangana that have been termed as witchhunt by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

Sources said the orders were passed after the government received information that the Union Government was proposing to launch raids on various political leaders of the state after Naidu stepped up efforts to form an anti-BJP front with the help of the Congress.

An order marked ‘confidential’ passed by Principal Secretary (Home) A R Anuradha on November 8, was “leaked” in the media late last nigh.

The order reads, “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, Government hereby withdraw the general consent accorded (in GO Ms 109) to all the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise the powers and jurisdiction under the said Act in the state of Andhra Pradesh,” the latest GO said.

After the TDP parted ways with the NDA government, it has been taking precautionary measures to reduce the onslaught of central agencies in the state.

It had, however, on August 3 this year accorded a “general consent” to all members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise the powers and jurisdiction in AP against officials of the Central Government, Central Government undertakings and private persons for investigating offences under various laws, including the Prevention of Corruption Act. It was done vide order numbered GO Ms No. 109.

The CBI functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.

Ever since he snapped ties with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in March this year, Naidu had been alleging that the Centre was misusing agencies like the CBI to target political opponents.

The Andhra Pradesh chief minister has already announced that the state would not provide accompanying logistic support in the form of local policemen to raiding parties in the state.

Several senior TDP leaders have been raided recently by the Income Tax and ED sleuths.

After Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal withdraws general consent to CBI    

The West Bengal Government also withdrew the ‘general consent’ accorded to the CBI to conduct raids or carry out investigations in the state, a top official at the state secretariat said on Wednesday.

The West Bengal Government’s decision came close on the heels of a similar step initiated by Andhra Pradesh.

After the Andhra Pradesh government’s announcement, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her support to her counterpart Chandrababu Naidu over the issue.

“What Chandrababu Naidu has done is absolutely right. The BJP is using the CBI and other agencies to pursue its own political interests and vendetta,” she said.

The general consent was accorded to the CBI by the then Left Front government in West Bengal in 1989.

With Friday’s notification, the central agency would henceforth require permission from the state government to carry out any sort of investigation except those ordered by the court, the official said, requesting anonymity. With PTI