Kolkata, 08 June (H.S.) : The West Bengal government on Monday announced the restoration of “general consent” or “standing clearance” to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for initiating probes into corruption-related cases in the state, marking a significant administrative reversal.

With this decision, the CBI will no longer require prior permission from the state government to begin investigations in such cases.

However, the state has introduced a key condition. In cases involving state government employees or officials, the CBI will still be required to seek prior approval from the state government before initiating any probe.

The “general consent” was withdrawn by the then Trinamool Congress government in 2018, after which the CBI had to either obtain case-specific permission from the state or rely on court orders to proceed with investigations in West Bengal.

The new decision effectively overturns the earlier order under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, restoring the earlier framework for CBI operations in the state.

Despite the withdrawal of general consent in 2018, the CBI had continued registering FIRs in several corruption cases, often relying on court directions. The then state government had also legally challenged certain CBI investigations, escalating the matter to the Supreme Court in multiple instances.

The Centre has consistently argued that state governments cannot impose blanket restrictions on central investigative agencies in a manner that could hinder probes or provide protection to accused individuals.

The move is being seen as a significant administrative and political development in West Bengal’s governance framework.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh