Uddhav Thackeray withdraws general consent to CBI from probing cases in state
The Uddhav Thackeray-led coalition government on Wednesday blocked the central agency from investigating any case in Maharashtra without the prior consent of the state or the permission of the higher judiciary.
FollowMumbai: The Uddhav Thackeray-led government on Wednesday (October 21) withdrew the general consent extended by Maharashtra to the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe cases in the state.
The move makes it necessary for the central agency to get the state government's permission to conduct investigations in the state. Earlier, several opposition-ruled states including Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and more recently, Rajasthan, had withdrawn general consent, effectively shutting the gates to the CBI.
The Maharashtra government's move also comes hours after the CBI filed a case to investigate the ratings scam on the basis of a complaint filed in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh.
Officials said the Maharashtra government’s decision would not impact the CBI investigation into the Sushant Singh Rajput death case since this probe is being conducted on orders of the Supreme Court and not under provisions that require a state to give its consent.
The Maharashtra government's move also comes hours after the CBI filed a case to investigate the ratings scam on the basis of a complaint filed in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh.
The Mumbai Police, which has accused three channels, including Republic TV, of rigging ratings, is currently investigating the case. Republic TV has denied any wrongdoing.
Speculation is that this could very well become the second instance of an investigation making its way from the Mumbai Police to the CBI via a BJP or NDA-ruled state like in the Sushant Singh Rajput case.
Two months ago, in the Sushant Singh Rajput case, an FIR was filed in Bihar and the Supreme Court in the matter had ordered the CBI to take over the investigation from the Mumbai police.
The handing over of the case to the CBI in the Sushant Rajput case had led to a huge row between Maharashtra's ruling alliance and the BJP, which rules Bihar in alliance with Nitish Kumar.
