Supreme Court: CBI Doesn't Need State Nod for FIR Against Central Officials

The Supreme Court ruled that the CBI does not require state government permission to register an FIR against Central officials even if posted in a state's jurisdiction. The decision overturned an Andhra Pradesh High Court ruling that demanded fresh consent for CBI probes against two accused officials in the state.

The Supreme Court has clarified that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is not obligated to seek permission from state governments to file an FIR against central government officials stationed in various states. This decisive verdict was delivered by a bench constituted by Justices C T Ravikumar and Rajesh Bindal on January 2.

The ruling came after overturning an Andhra Pradesh High Court decision that had halted CBI investigations against two central government employees accused of corruption. The high court had ruled in favor of requiring new consent from the Andhra Pradesh state government.

The Supreme Court highlighted that general consent under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act remains valid post-bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, diminishing the need for new state-specific consent. This judgment reasserts the authority of central law enforcement in dealing with offences under central legislation.

(With inputs from agencies.)