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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), functioning under Dept. of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India, is the premier investigating police agency in India. It is an elite force playing a major role in preservation of values in public life and in ensuring the health of the national economy. It is also the nodal police agency in India, which coordinates investigation on behalf of Interpol Member countries.

  1. At an early stage of World War-II, the Government of India realised that vast increase in expenditure for war efforts had provided opportunities to unscrupulous and anti-social persons, both officials and non-officials, for indulging in bribery and corruption at the cost of public and the Government. It was felt that Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies under the State Governments were not in a position to cope with the situation. An executive order was, therefore, passed by the Government of India in 1941, setting up the Special Police Establishment (SPE) under a DIG in the then Department of War with mandate to investigate cases of bribery and corruption in transactions with which War and Supply Department of the Government of India was concerned. At the end of 1942, the activities of the SPE were extended to include cases of corruption on Railways also, presumably because the Railways were vitally concerned with movement and supply of war materials.

 

  1. In 1943, an Ordinance was issued by the Government of India, by which a Special Police Force was constituted and vested with powers for the investigation of certain offences committed in connection with the departments of the Central Government committed anywhere in British India. As a need for a Central Government Agency to investigate cases of bribery and corruption was felt even after the end of the war, the Ordinance issued in 1943, which had lapsed on 30th September, 1946 was replaced by Delhi Special Police Establishment Ordinance of 1946. Subsequently, the same year Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 was brought into existence.

 

  1. CBI derives power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 Section 2 of the Act vests DSPE with jurisdiction to investigate offences in the Union Territories only. However, the jurisdiction can be extended by the Central Government to other areas including Railway areas and States under Section 5(1) of the Act, provided the State Government accords consent under Section 6 of the Act. The executive officers of CBI of the rank of Sub Inspector and above, exercise all powers of a station office in-charge of the police station for the concerned area for the purpose of investigation. As per Section 3 of the Act, Special Police Establishment is authorised to investigate only those cases, which are notified by the Central Government from time to time.

 

  1. After promulgation of the Act, superintendence of SPE was transferred to the Home Department and its functions were enlarged to cover all departments of the Government of India. The jurisdiction of SPE was extended to all the Union territories and the Act provided for its extension to States with the consent of the State Government. The Headquarters of SPE was shifted to Delhi and the organisation was put under the charge of Director, Intelligence Bureau. However, in 1948, a post of Inspector General of Police, SPE was created and the organisation was placed under his charge.

 

  1. In 1953, an Enforcement Wing was added to the SPE to deal with offences under the Import and Export Control Act. With the passage of time, more and more cases under laws other than Prevention of Corruption Act and violations of Import and Export Control Act also came to be entrusted to the SPE. In fact, by 1963 SPE was authorised to investigate offences under 91 different sections of Indian Penal Code and 16 other Central Acts besides offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947.

 

  1. A growing need was felt for a Central Police Agency at disposal of the Central Government which could investigate not only cases of bribery and corruption, but also violation of Central fiscal laws, major frauds relating to Government of India departments, public joint stock companies, passport frauds, crimes on the high seas, crimes on the Airlines and serious crimes committed by organised gangs and professional criminals. Therefore, the Government of India set up Central Bureau of Investigation by a resolution dated 1st April, 1963 with the following divisions:
    • Investigation & Anti Corruption Division (Delhi Special Police Establishment)
    • Technical Division
    • Crime Records and Statistics Division
    • Research Division
    • Legal and General Division
    • Administration Division

     

  2. The Investigation & Anti-Corruption Division (Delhi Special Police Establishment) was entrusted with the following mandate in the resolution although it continued to derive its jurisdiction and powers from DSPE Act, 1946.
    • Cases in which public servants under the control of the Central Government are involved either by themselves or along with State Government servants and/or other persons.
    • Cases in which the interests of the Central Government, or of any public sector project or undertaking, or any statutory corporation or body set up and financed by the Government of India are involved.
    • Cases relating to breaches of Central Laws with the enforcement of which the Government of India is particularly concerned, e.g.
      1. Breaches of Import and Export Control Orders
      2. Serious breaches of Foreign Exchange Regulation Act,
      3. Passport frauds
      4. Cases under the Official Secrets Act pertaining to the affairs of the Central Government.
      5. Cases of certain specified categories under the Defence of India Act or Rules with which the Central Government is particularly concerned
    • Serious cases of cheating or fraud relating to the Railways, or Posts & Telegraphs Department, particularly those involving professional criminals operating in several States.
      1. Crime on the High Seas
      2. Crime on the Airlines
    • Important and serious cases in Union Territories particularly those by professional criminals.
    • Serious cases of fraud, cheating and embezzlement relating to Public Joint Stock Companies.
    • Other cases of a serious nature, when committed by organised gangs or professional criminals, or cases having ramifications in several States including Union Territories, serious cases of spurious drugs, important cases of kidnapping of children by professional inter State gangs, etc. These cases will be taken up only at the request of or with the concurrence of the State Governments/Union Territories Administrations concerned.
    • Collection of intelligence about corruption in the public services and the projects and undertakings in the public sector.
    • Prosecution of cases investigated by this Division.
    • Presentation of cases before Enquiry Offices in which departmental proceedings are instituted on the recommendation of this Division.

     

  3. CBI was further strengthened by addition of an Economic Offences Wing by a Government of India Resolution dated 29.2.1964. At this time, CBI had two investigation Wings; one called the General Offences Wing which dealt with cases of bribery and corruption involving employees of Central Government/PSUs and the other Economic Offences Wing, which dealt with cases of violation of fiscal laws.

 

  1. In September, 1964 a Food Offences Wing was formed to collect intelligence regarding hoarding, black marketing, smuggling and profiteering in food grains and take up such cases having inter-state ramifications in view of the situation prevailing at that time. It was merged in the Economic Offences Wing in 1968.

 

  1. With the passage of time, requests were made by various quarters for CBI to take up investigation even in conventional crimes like assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, crimes committed by extremists, violation of Official Secrets Act, large scale Banks and Insurance Frauds etc. and others specific cases like Bhagalpur Blindings, Bhopal Gas Tragedy etc. Since early 1980's, constitutional courts also started referring cases to CBI for enquiry/investigation on the basis of petitions filed by the aggrieved persons in cases of murders, dowry deaths, rape etc. In view of these developments, it was decided in 1987 to have two investigation Divisions in CBI namely Anti Corruption Division and Special Crimes Division, the latter dealing with cases of conventional crimes as well as economic offences.

     

  2. Even after the establishment of Special Crimes Division, Special Cells were created to take up investigations in important & sensational cases of conventional nature, e.g., Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted in 1991 to investigate cases relating to the assassination of Shri Rajiv Gandhi, Special Investigation Cell-IV was created in 1992 to investigate cases relating to the demolition of Babri Majid in Ayodhya and Special Task Force was created in 1993 to take up investigation relating to bomb blast in Bombay. Bank Frauds and Securities Cell was created in 1992 to investigate cases related to Bank Frauds & Securities scams.

     

  3. Over a period of time, some of the work originally allotted to the CBI was transferred to other organisations. Part of the work relating to Crime Records and Statistics Division was transferred to NCRB and that relating to Research Division was transferred to BPR&D.

     

  4. Due to increased work load relating to Securities Scam cases and rise in economic offences with the liberalization of Indian economy, a separate Economic Offences Wing was established in 1994 consequent to the approval of reorganization plan of the CBI. Accordingly, three investigation Divisions were created in CBI. (a) Anti Corruption Division To deal with cases of corruption and fraud committed by public servants of all Central Government Departments, Central Public Sector Undertakings and Central Financial Institutions. (b) Economic Crimes Division - To deal with bank frauds, financial frauds, Import Export & Foreign Exchange Violations, large-scale smuggling of narcotics, antiques, cultural property and smuggling of other contraband items etc. (c) Special Crimes Division To deal with cases of terrorism, bomb blasts, sensational homicides, kidnapping for ransom and crimes committed by the mafia/underworld.

     

  5. Pursuant to the direction of Hon'ble Supreme Court in Vineet Narayan and others vs. Union of India, the existing Legal Division was reconstituted as the Directorate of Prosecution in July 2001. As on date, CBI has the following Divisions:

    • Anti Corruption Division

    • Economic Offences Division
    • Special Crimes Division
    • Directorate of Prosecution
    • Administration Division
    • Policy & Coordination Division
    • Central Forensic Science Laboratory

     

  6. Over the years, the Central Bureau of Investigation has emerged as a premier investigating agency of the country which enjoys the trust of the people, Parliament, Judiciary and the Government. In the last 75 years, the organisation has evolved from an anti corruption agency to a multi faceted, multi disciplinary central police law enforcement agency with capability, credibility and legal mandate to investigate and prosecute offences anywhere in India.

     

  7. Director, CBI as Inspector General of Police, Delhi Special Police Establishment, is responsible for the administration of the organisation. With enactment of CVC Act, 2003 the Superintendence of Delhi Special Police Establishment vests with the Central Government save investigations of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in which, the superintendence vests with the Central Vigilance Commission. Director, CBI has been provided security of two year tenure in CBI by the CVC Act, 2003. The CVC Act also provides mechanism for selection of Director, CBI and other officers of the rank of SP and above in CBI.

     

MOTTO

Industry,
Impartiality
and Integrity

MISSION

To uphold the Constitution of India and law of the land through in-depth investigation and successful prosecution of offences; to provide leadership and direction to Police Forces and to act as the Nodal Agency for enhancing interstate and international cooperation in law enforcement.

VISION

Based on its motto, mission and the need to develop professionalism, transparency, adaptability to change and use of science and technology in its working, the CBI will focus on:

  • Combating corruption in public life, curb economic and violent crimes through meticulous investigation and prosecution.
  • Evolve effective systems and procedures for successful investigation and prosecution of cases in various law courts.
  • Help fight cyber and high technology crime.
  • Create a healthy work environment that encourages team-building, free communication and mutual trust
  • Support state police organizations and law enforcement agencies in national and international cooperation particularly relating to enquiries and investigation of cases.
  • Play a lead role in the war against national and transnational organized crime.
  • Uphold Human Rights, protect the environment, arts, antiques and heritage of our civilization.
  • Develop a scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
  • Strive for excellence and professionalism in all spheres of functioning so that the organization rises to high levels of endeavor and achievement
Shri L.N. Mishra
The Harshad Mehta Case, 1992
A part of the funeral of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal
Gen. Arun Kumar Vaidya
The Tipu Sultan's Sword and Antiquities Theft Case, 1985
The Purulia Arms Drop Case, 1995

Shri L.N. Mishra

Shri L.N. Mishra, the Union Railway Minister of India was killed in a bomb blast on 2nd January, 1975 at Samastipur, Bihar where he had gone to inaugurate the Samastipur-Muzaffarpur broad gauge Railway line. He was a popular leader and a dynamic Minister. People saw a deep-laid conspiracy in his murder. The case was first investigated by the local Police, but was then handed over to the CBI. The CBI handled the case with every care. Suspects were arrested. The court found the accused guilty and convicted them.

The Harshad Mehta Case, 1992

Harshad Mehta was a stockbroker on the Bombay Stock Exchange in 1990s. He and his associates siphoned off funds by interbank transactions and did a heavy buying of shares at a big premium across many segments, triggering a rise in the BSE Sensex. He was called a successful 'Big Bull'. But soon the 'Big Bull' had a fall, when his 'dark business' came to light. His case was, at this stage, handed over to CBI. The CBI team investigated the case, tied all its loose ends and took it to the court that found Harshad and his cronies guilty on several counts. Harshad died in 2002. He was charged with 72 criminal offences and more than 600 civil action suits were filed against him.

A part of the funeral of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal

The Sant Harchand Singh Longowal Murder Case, 1985 On 20th August, 1985, Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal had gone to Gurudwara Akal Prakash, Sherpur in District Sangrur, Punjab for attending a conference. After delivering the speech there, while he was thanking the audience, three youths fired at him, as a result of which he fell down and later succumbed to injuries. This murder came as a shock to all peace loving people of India as Sant Harchand Singh Longowal was instrumental in the agreement reached between the Central Government and the Akali Dal in July, 1985 for betterment of Punjab, which is popularly known as the ‘Punjab Accord’. The Investigators of CBI unravelled the truth behind the murder and found that Punjab Accord had not been liked by the extremist groups of Punjab and, therefore, they decided to take their revenge on Sant Longowal for the same. In this case, the prime accused Gian Singh, who had fired on Sant Longowal was sentenced to death penalty.

Gen. Arun Kumar Vaidya

The General Vaidya Murder Case, 1986 th On 10 August, 1986, at about 11:45 am, while General Arun Kumar Vaidya, retired Chief of the Indian Army, was returning to his residence in his car after shopping along with his wife Smt. Bhanumati Vaidya and Police Guard Shri RamChander Babu Kshirsagar, he was murdered at Pune, Maharashtra, which was the result of a criminal conspiracy to eliminate the General on the grounds that he had ordered 'Operation Blue Star' that had caused damage to th the Golden Temple Complex, Amritsar on 5 June, 1984. The case was registered at Bund Garden Police Station of Pune and was th entrusted to CBI for investigation on 15 August, 1986. The CBI unearthed the criminal conspiracy amongst the accused persons to assassinate General Vaidya for taking revenge of Army action on Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab during Operation Blue Star in 1984, when General Vaidya was the Chief of the Army Staff. In order to execute their plan, the accused gave up their traditional turban and also became clean shaven to conceal their identity. They acquired hotel and residential accommodation at various places around Pune and resided there on various assumed names, during which they also collected arms and ammunition from various sources for carrying out their operation. The case was handled very professionally by the CBI. Each arrest made by it was proved to the hilt in the Designated Court, against the main culprits Harjinder Singh alias Jinda and Sukhdev Singh alias Sukha, Pune under Section 302 and 307 IPC. The court awarded them death sentence. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of

The Tipu Sultan's Sword and Antiquities Theft Case, 1985

A sword of Tipu Sultan, the legendary ruler of the Princely State of Mysore, and some other valuable antiquities – a gold necklace studded with precious stones, a silver ring fitted with priceless 'neelam' (blue stone), a cigar holder in the form of a musical piece with a lady having wings, etc. – were stolen from Mysore Palace and Government Museum, Mysore in 1985. CBI got specific information that some persons were trying to sell these antiquities to interested buyers. A CBI team posed as prospective buyers, negotiated with the sellers and succeeded in trapping the sellers along with the antiquities at Mysore. As a result, the precious Sword was recovered from the Nagalingaswamy Mathy in Mysore (December 1985). Other artefacts were gathered from some other places. Four separate charge-sheets were filed against the accused persons. In one case, the accused died during the trial and in other cases, ended in conviction of the accused persons. Other artefacts were gathered from some other places. All these priceless artefacts are now with the National Museum, New Delhi.

The Purulia Arms Drop Case, 1995

On the night of 17 -18 December, 1995, a huge consignment of sophisticated arms and ammunition were air- dropped over some villages in Purulia District of West Bengal by an AN-26 Aircraft with call sign YLLDB, which deviated from its assigned flight path - Varanasi in India to Phuket in Thailand. The crime, perhaps first of its kind inthe history of our country, was a direct onslaught on the safety and security of the country. Therefore, its investigation was entrusted to the CBI. Without losing a moment, the CBI constituted a special team to solve the case. The efforts of the team bore fruits sooner than expected. A sinister story unfolded. It was revealed that the aircraft was force- landed at Bombay Airport on 22 December, 1995 and six crew members, which included one British and five Latvians were taken into custody. During the rummaging of their aircraft, some arms, ammunition, night vision equipments, a laptop computer, global positioning system device, etc. were recovered. Investigation revealed that arms and ammunition were meant for a section of Anand Margis in India. Chargesheet was submittedagainst the accused persons in 1996 and all the accused persons, who faced trial, were convicted. There are some absconders in the case against whom Red Corner Notices and Look Out Notices have been issued. The CBI brought almost all the accused persons to book. A trial in the courts led to their conviction – all of them got Life Imprisonment

history banner

During the early stages of World War-II, the then Government of India realized that the enormously expanded expenditure for purposes connected with the war had brought about a situation in which unscrupulous and antisocial persons, both officials and non-officials, were enriching themselves dishonestly at the cost of the public and the Government. It was felt that the Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies, which functioned under the State Governments, were not adequate to cope with the situation. It was under these circumstances, that the setting up of a separate organization to investigate offences connected with these transactions became a dire necessity. Consequently, the organization known as the Special Police Establishment (S.P.E.) was created under a Deputy Inspector General of Police by the Government of India, in 1941, by an executive order.

The functions of the SPE were to investigate cases of bribery and corruption in transactions with which the War and Supply Department of the Government of India was concerned. The superintendence of the SPE was vested in the then War and Supply Department.

Towards the end of 1942, the activities of the SPE were extended to include cases of corruption in the Railways also, presumably because the Railways were strategically concerned with the movement and supply of war material.

The functions of the SPE were to investigate cases of bribery and corruption in transactions with which the War and Supply Department of the Government of India was concerned. The superintendence of the SPE was vested in the then War and Supply Department.

In 1942, the jurisdiction of the War Department to exercise the powers of investigation was challenged before a High Court. This led to the promulgation of Ordinance No. XXII of 1943 conferring the requisite legal sanction and authority on the Department.

In 1942, the jurisdiction of the War Department to exercise the powers of investigation was challenged before a High Court. This led to the promulgation of Ordinance No. XXII of 1943 conferring the requisite legal sanction and authority on the Department.

This was subsequently replaced by the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (XXV of 1946) [Annexure 1-B] which came into force on 19th November, 1946. This Act enabled the Establishment to function in the Provinces (with the concurrence of the Provincial Government) to the limited extent of investigating certain specified offences in which Central Government employees were involved or Departments of the Government of India were concerned.

After the promulgation of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the superintendence of the SPE was transferred to the then Home Department, now known as Ministry of Home Affairs, and its functions were enlarged to cover all Departments of the Government of India. The DSPE was then under the charge of Director, Intelligence Bureau. Later, in 1948, a post of Inspector-General of Police, SPE was created and the organization was placed under his charge. In 1953, an Enforcement Wing was added to the DSPE to deal with offences relating to breach of Import & Export Regulations.

The Government of India appointed an eight-member Committee, headed by a veteran Gandhian, K. Santhanam, MP, in June 1962, 'to consider special measures' to root out the menace of corruption from our public life. After going through almost every aspect of the problem at length, the Committee gave a comprehensive report

The Government set up, vide Resolution st No. 4/31/61-T, dated 1 April, 1963, the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate not only cases of bribery and corruption, but also violation of central fiscal laws, and serious crimes committed by organized gangs and thugs, besides collecting supporting intelligence, statistics of crime, and conducting Police research and making special studies, and so forth.

With the establishment of CBI on 1st April, 1963, the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) was made one of its divisions.

In the initial years, the CBI functioned from East Block, R.K. Puram and subsequently moved to Indian Express building at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Shastri Bhawan, Faridkot House and then to Sardar Patel Bhawan in 1968.

( CBI Headquarters at R.K Puram, New Delhi )

( CBI Headquarters at Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi )

( Earlier CBI Headquarters at CGO Complex, New Delhi)

(Present day CBI Headquarters at CGO Complex, New Delhi)

A Brief History of CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation traces its origin to the Special Police Establishment (SPE) which was set up in 1941 by the Government of India. The functions of the SPE then were to investigate cases of bribery and corruption in transactions with the War & Supply Deptt. Of India during World War II. Superintendence of the S.P.E. was vested with the War Department. Even after the end of the War, the need for a Central Government agency to investigate cases of bribery and corruption by Central Government employees was felt. The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act was therefore brought into force in 1946. This Act transferred the superintendence of the SPE to the Home Department and its functions were enlarged to cover all departments of the Govt. of India. The jurisdiction of the SPE extended to all the Union Territories and could be extended also to the States with the consent of the State Government concerned.

The DSPE acquired its popular current name, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), through a Home Ministry resolution dated 1.4.1963. Initially the offences that were notified by the Central Government related only to corruption by Central Govt. servants.

In due course, with the setting up of a large number of public sector undertakings, the employees of these undertakings were also brought under CBI purview. Similarly, with the nationalisation of the banks in 1969, the Public Sector Banks and their employees also came within the ambit of the CBI.

Founder Director

The founder director of the CBI was Shri D.P. Kohli who held office from 1st April, 1963 to 31st May, 1968. Before this, he was Inspector-General of Police of the Special Police Establishment from 1955 to 1963. Before that he held responsible positions in police in Madhya Bharat, Uttar Pradesh and Govt. of India. He was Police Chief in Madhya Bharat before joining the SPE. Shri Kohli was awarded 'Padma Bhushan' in 1967 for his distinguished services.

Shri Kohli was a visionasry who saw in the Special Police Establishment the potential of growing into the national investigative agency. He nurtured the organisation during his long stint as Inspector General and as Director and laid the solid foundation on which the organisation grew over the decades to become what it is today.

While inaugurating the 4th Biennial Joint Conference of the CBI and State Anti-Corruption Officers, Shri Kohli told the delegates: "The public expects the highest standard from you both in efficiency and integrity. That faith has to be sustained. The motto of the CBI - Industry, Impartiality and Integrity: these must always guide your work. Loyalty to duty must come first, everywhere, at all times and in all circumstances."

Emergence as India’s premier Investigative Agency

From 1965 onwards, the CBI has also been entrusted with the investigation of Economic Offences and important conventional crimes such as murders, kidnapping, terrorist crimes, etc., on a selective basis.

The SPE initially had two Wings. They were the General Offences Wing (GOW) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The GOW dealt with cases of bribery and corruption involving the employees of Central Government and Public Sector Undertakings. The EOW dealt with cases of violation of various economic/fiscal laws. Under this set-up, the GOW had at least one Branch in each State and the EOW in the four metropolitan cities, i.e, Delhi, Madras, Bombay and Calcutta. These EOW Branches dealt with offences reported from the Regions, i.e, each Branch had jurisdiction over several States.

Widening Role

As the CBI, over the years, established a reputation for impartiality and competence, demands were made on it to take up investigation of more cases of conventional crime such as murder, kidnapping, terrorist crime, etc. Apart from this, even the Supreme court and the various High Courts of the country also started entrusting such cases for investigation to the CBI on petitions filed by aggrieved parties. CBI is not only a premier anti corruption investigative agency in India but it has also the experience of handling high profile conventional crimes, economic offences, banking frauds and crimes with international linkages. The CBI is designated as the National Central Bureau of India for ICPO-INTERPOL.