Lok Sabha clears path to appoint new CBI chief

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha has cleared the path for the appointment of the new CBI chief by passing a bill to amend the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act to include leader of the largest opposition party as a member of the selection committee to choose the CBI chief. The government side is confident of the bill’s passage in the Rajya Sabha in the remaining days of this week.

The bill was passed by a voice vote. Earlier, the House voted against a BJD member’s amendment to a provision in the bill that says the government can go ahead with the selection of CBI chief even if any member in the selection committee is absent or any slot in the committee is vacant. Congress, Trinamool and many Opposition parties voted for the amendment.

Pressing for a division for his amendment, BJD’s Thathagatha Satpathy said such a provision aimed at “giving government undue powers and would set a dangerous precedent for democracy.”