Will seek balance in approach to serve interests of justice: Ranjit Sinha, CBI chief

NEW DELHI: In light of recent comments by the Prime Minister and Finance Minister asking probe agencies to not question policy decisions, CBI Director Ranjit Sinha today said the agency would "positively contribute" to finding a balance that was in consonance with the requirements of justice.

Speaking at the valedictory function of the three-day CBI Golden Jubilee celebrations here, Sinha said, "An important question has been raised during the conference on defining the limits of criminal investigation.

"We see the issue in the context of the changing reality of our country and will positively contribute to finding an equilibrium that is in consonance with the requirements of justice," he added.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his inaugural speech at the conference, had said, "I don't think it would be appropriate for a police agency to sit in judgement over policy formulation, without any evidence of mala fide."

CBI is probing a number of cases related to the allocation of natural resources, involving coal blocks, spectrum, and iron ore.

Singh's views on the matter have been echoed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Law Minister Kapil Sibal and Minister of State for Personnel, V Narayanasamy.

Asking probe agencies to desist from questioning policy, Chidambaram had said, "The agency must confine itself to the question whether there has been a violation of a laid-down rule of conduct".