CBI to upgrade its crime manual after 14 years to tackle offences

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is gearing up for a major change in the upcoming days. After 14 years, the agency is all set to make amendments to it’s crime manual. So what exactly is a crime manual and why is it important for the agency -  The manual lays down standard operating procedures which govern its functioning. The ambit of the investigation is largely charted through what is prescribed in the manual. The new leadership of the CBI is of the opinion that the agency has its systems in place. But a robust system does need adopting new methodologies with passing time.

While the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Criminal Procedure Code, both were amended in 2018, the country’s premier investigative agency’s crime manual hasn’t gone through any major amendments in the last years. 

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CBI's criminal manual to be changed

Senior officers at the agency say all CBI officers follow the internal memo (crime manual) while probing a case, initiating a probe by filing a Preliminary Enquiry or converting a PE into an FIR. In 14 years, courts have struck down some criminal laws and amended others. This is the reason why changes are being made in CBI's own criminal manual.

"While probing some sensitive cases, our internal memos, procedures and SOPs have even been accepted by Apex Court, " said a senior CBI official speaking in the matter. 

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CBI updates manual to curb cyber-crime

With technological advancements, new crimes like cybercrime have increased manifold that is the reason why CBI is in the process of updating its criminal manual. These changes would also enable the agency to tackle internal issues. The development in the agency has come months after its two top officers, former Director Alok Kumar Verma and his number 2, then Special Director Rakesh Asthana, levelled charges of corruption against each other.

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