Centre misusing CBI: Hazare

It is not that all people with the CBI are bad. But they are subjected to pressure as they have their jobs to protect."

New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare with former Army Chief Gen. (Rtd.) V K Singh during a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday. PTI Photo by Vijay Verma (PTI3_21_2013_000153B)

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Saturday hit out at the Union government for controlling the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Reacting to the CBI raids on DMK leader M.K. Stalin’s premises in Chennai, he said, “Everybody knows that the CBI is under the government control. If it is brought under the Lokpal control, it would help in curbing corruption.” The Congress had “always misused” the agency.

“We had been alleging that the Union government is misusing the CBI for its political purpose and it is evident from the CBI raids on establishments and businesses of Mr. Stalin soon after the DMK withdrew its support to the UPA government. The raids cannot be termed co-incidental. Moreover, the nexus between small regional parties creates hindrance in the development of the nation and it is also evident from this example,” he said.

To a question on many people seeking pardon for actor Sanjay Dutt, Mr. Hazare said, “The court’s verdict [in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case] is the final word and parliamentarians can have their own opinions but Mr. Dutt should be ready to face the punishment.”