Sir — After the Supreme Court’s telling strictures on how the Congress-led UPA has interfered in the coal block allocation scam probe, the Government has no option but to make the Central Bureau of Investigation truly autonomous. It is the best opportunity for the Congress to re-endorse the people’s confidence after sweeping the Karnataka election.
The Government must take drastic steps urgently, which may include making the CBI autonomous immediately, rather than waiting for the July 10 deadline as fixed by the apex court. It must implement the important provision of the lokpal Bill for selecting the CBI chief through a consensus involving the leader of Opposition and others.
The CBI should again be placed under the Right to Information Act. Section 8 of the Act has sufficient provisions for denial of information including those which can impede investigations. The Central Information Commission should review its decision to adjourn indefinitely a petition against the CBI for information on corruption cases against four former and present Chief Ministers because of a stay-order granted by a single Bench of Delhi High Court. A Division Bench of Madras High Court has finally decided a similar matter against another agency listed under the Second Schedule, claiming exemption under Section 24 of the RTI Act which directs information to be provided as sought. It’s time for action and not prevarication.