In a significant move, the Karnataka government has announced the withdrawal of its general consent for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate cases within the state. This decision comes on the heels of a special court ordering a Lokayukta police probe against former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case. This development has set the stage for the registration of a formal First Information Report (FIR) in the case.
Law Minister H K Patil, in a statement, expressed the government’s concerns about the alleged misuse of the CBI, citing a lack of progress in investigations and a bias in their approach. He stated that the CBI had failed to file charge sheets in several cases referred to them by the state, leaving many cases pending. Additionally, the CBI had refused to investigate several other cases submitted by the Karnataka government.
Patil emphasized that the decision to withdraw general consent was not solely based on the MUDA case, but rather a broader move to control the CBI and prevent them from veering off course. The government aims to ensure that the agency operates in a fair and impartial manner.
This decision marks a significant development in the relationship between the Karnataka government and the CBI, raising questions about the future of investigations conducted by the central agency within the state. It remains to be seen how this move will impact ongoing investigations and the overall law enforcement landscape in Karnataka.
