Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): Mission, Composition & Tenure

• Recommended by Santhanam Committee (on corruption).
• Premier investigating agency of the Central Government.
• It traces its origin to the Special Police Establishment which was set up in 1941 by the Government of India.
• Established in 1963 by resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India; derives powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
• Non-statutory body.
• Under the Ministry of Personnel, it now enjoys the status of an attached office.

• Headed by the Director. He/she is assisted by a special director(s) and additional director(s).
• Additionally: the number of joint directors + deputy inspector generals + superintendents of police + all other usual ranks of police personnel as well as forensic scientists and law officers.
• The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (2013) amended the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (1946) and introduced the following changes to the composition of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
  • There shall be a Directorate of Prosecution headed by a Director to conduct cases under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. 
  • The Director of Prosecution will operate under the overall supervision of the Director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). 
    • He/She shall be appointed by the Central Government based on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission.
  • The Central Government will appoint officers of the rank of SP and above in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) based on the recommendation of a committee. 
  • This committee will be chaired by the Central Vigilance Commissioner, and its members will include the Vigilance Commissioners, the Secretary of the Home Ministry, and the Secretary of the Department of Personnel.

While the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director initially had a fixed two-year term under the CVC Act, 2003, the amendment now permits the central government to extend the tenure to up to five years. 

• The extension can occur annually, with a maximum of three such extensions, and no further extension is possible after completing a total of five years, including the initial two-year period.
• Any extension is subject to public interest, the recommendation of the Committee related to the initial appointment, and must be accompanied by recorded reasons in writing.

• 3-member Committee: PM (Chairperson) + Leader of Opposition (LS) + CJI or Judge of SC (nominated by him).
• In case of no recognized leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, then the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha would be a member of that committee.

• Crime of corruption, economic offences, serious and organized crime and Not terrorism.
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) serves as the “National Central Bureau” of Interpol in India. 
• Combating Corruption: in public life, curbing economic and violent crimes through meticulous investigation and prosecution.
• Investigation and Prosecution: Evolve effective systems and procedures for successful investigation and prosecution of cases in various law courts.
• Cyber Crime: Help fight cyber and high technology crime.
• Cultivating a Supportive Work Environment: 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.
• War against Transnational Crime: Play a lead role in the war against national and transnational organized crime.
• Investigating cases relating to infringement of fiscal and economic laws, that is, breach of laws concerning export and import control, customs and central excise, income tax, foreign exchange regulations and so on.
• Taking up, on the request of a state government, any case of public importance for investigation.
• Maintaining crime statistics and disseminating criminal information.
• Other Areas
  • 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
  • Assist CVC, Lokpal and Lokayukta.

• The jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can be extended to the States only with the consent of the State Government concerned.
• When a state gives general consent (DSPE Act) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for probing a case, the agency is not required to seek fresh permission every time it enters that state in connection with an investigation or for every case.