Reversing his predecessor, N. Chandrababu Naidu’s orders, Chief Minister, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has decided to allow the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to go ahead with its raids and investigations in the State without prior permission of the State government.
YSRCP Rajya Sabha member V. Vijaya Sai Reddy tweeted on Monday announcing that the YSRCP government has issued orders allowing the CBI. His tweet says it all: “Chandrababu banned CBI, he prevented IT raids, he questioned how ED comes in the state. Now Jagan has issued orders allowing the CBI into the state. CM made it clear that thieves will not be spared. Look out Chandrababu.” It effectively means the CBI can now enter the State without obtaining permission from the Andhra Pradesh government.
The Chandrababu Naidu government has through an order issued in November 2018, withdrew the ‘general consent,’ virtually curtailing the Central agency's powers to investigate in the State. The general consent was routinely given by the State governments for periods ranging from six months to one year to the CBI and all agencies under the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946.
Chain reaction
The consent is necessary as the jurisdiction of these agencies is confined to Delhi and Union Territories under this Act.
A political decision, the withdrawal of ‘general consent’ meant the CBI will have to approach the Andhra Pradesh government and seek its permission before entering the State for investigation on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Naidu’s decision came after he and the other Opposition parties alleged that the BJP-led NDA government was misusing Central agencies to target leaders in the Opposition and their governments. But the YSRCP made it a campaign point during elections saying Mr. Naidu took this decision to prevent the CBI from probing allegations of corruption against him and those in his government.
The controversial step triggered a chain reaction with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too withdrawing ‘the general consent’ within hours of Mr. Naidu’s decision.
