Rise. Rot. Revival

Revered in the courts, dreaded by the corrupt — the CBI of old is gone. Political interference and hollowing out of insiders eroded its very soul

- SHANTONU SEN

Built on fearless insiders, ruined by parachutists — the CBI's decline is a cautionary tale of power and politics

ncerespected byall courts for its meticulous investigation and faultless findings, CBI has come to be called a “caged parrot,” a “Corrupt Bureau of Investigation,’ and a “Congress Bureau of Investiga~ tion.”

India’s once ace investigation agency, CBI, is a gift from India’s most beloved Prime Minister. On Ast April 1963, when it was so christened and then redesigned, he was India’s Home Minister. Even during his brief tenure as Home Minister, CBl earned a good reputation. Since 1963, CBI's sword arm, the Special Police Establishment (SPE), has successfully prevented and investigated big corruption cases for 17 years already. SPE’s head, designated as Inspector General, was in charge for four years before CBI came into being. His name was D.P. Kohli. He became CBI's first head. He was designated as Director, CBI. SPE then became part of CBI. Itwas renamed General Offences Wing (GOW). Itis the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Department. The other divisions of CBI are the Economic Offences Wing. Later, the expanding Special Crime Wing was added. Then came the Administrative Division, Forensic Division, and Coordination Division.