Bihar Expands CBI’s Powers for Central Cases, Retains State Nod for Local Officials
· India · Indian Express, The Hindu
The Bihar government, led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, has issued a notification broadening the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) standing consent to investigate offences involving Central government employees, Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and private individuals in Bihar. However, the state retains the authority to grant case-by-case consent for probes involving Bihar government employees, state-owned corporations, and state-aided institutions. The move, effective from September 3, 2026, creates a two-tier consent regime under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946. The CBI now has automatic jurisdiction over cases involving employees of the Government of India and private individuals implicated alongside them, but state approval remains mandatory for investigations targeting Bihar’s public servants and state-controlled entities. The notification was signed by Principal Secretary Pankaj Kumar in Patna.
Why it matters
This decision directly impacts the investigative landscape for corruption and criminal cases in Bihar, potentially speeding up probes involving national-level entities while maintaining state control over local officials. It could influence how cases against Bihar’s government employees and state bodies are handled, with implications for accountability and public trust in state institutions.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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