Published 20:42 IST, November 16th 2018
After Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, Mamata Banerjee blocks CBI in West Bengal
Following in the footsteps of the Andhra Pradesh government, which blocked CBI's entry into the state, the West Bengal government on Friday issued a notification saying it has withdrawn the former Left government's consensus to allow the CBI to operate independently in the state.
Following in the footsteps of the Andhra Pradesh government, which blocked CBI's entry into the state, the West Bengal government on Friday issued a notification saying it has withdrawn the former Left government's consensus to allow the CBI to operate independently in the state.
Earlier in the day, Mamata Banerjee, the CM of West Bengal, had concurred to the decision taken by TDP government and AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu during a rally. She too has now banned the CBI from in her state.
Sources have told Republic TV that the notification by the West Bengal government says, 'Delhi Police Establish Act 1946, is followed by CBI. According to the act of some states allows CBI in general to investigate and in some states CBI has to seek permission. In Bengal left government gave consensus to CBI to operate independently in the state. after a high level meeting at state secretariat, the consensus has been withdrawn.'
This means that the CBI will have to seek permission of the state before investigating any matter in West Bengal.
Earlier on November 16, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu made a disclosure on the CBI being blocked from entering Andhra Pradesh without obtaining its prior permission.
The Andhra Pradesh government has withdrawn the 'General consent' given to the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise its powers and jurisdiction in the state. In effect, in the absence of this permission, the CBI cannot interfere in any case that takes place within the limits of the state.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also supported his Andhra counterpart Chandrababu Naidu's decision to ban the CBI from his state and urged him to even block the Income Tax Department. He is the latest in Opposition to have supported Naidu's decision after West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also backed him and even said she would do the same.
"Chandrababu Naidu has done the right thing (by banning the CBI in his state). Modiji has misused the income tax and the CBI. Why has the CBI not caught Vijay Mallya, those involved in the Sahara Birla diary case, those whose names came out after Notebandi? Naiduji also bans IT from entering your state" he had tweeted.
Updated 22:01 IST, November 16th 2018