Ranchi, January 11: The Congress government in Chhattisgarh on Thursday withdrew the general consent granted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to carry out an investigation in the state. The consent was granted in 2001, reported PTI. While speaking to media, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, “In a federal system, there is a provision that if CBI comes for investigation in a state, then state may or may not grant permission. However, if there is an order by High Court or Supreme Court that mandates it, then state govt is bound to allow it.”

Meanwhile, the former CM of the state Raman slammed Bhagel for banning the entry of CBI in the state. Singh said that the CM of the state is afraid of the investigative agency. After Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, Chhattisgarh became the third state to ban the operation of the premier investigative agency in the state.

In November, Chandrababu Naidu withdrew the general consent given to the members of Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise powers and jurisdiction in Andhra Pradesh. Immediately after, the Andhra government's decision, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also declared the CBI could not conduct investigations in the state without permission. According to CBI's rule, it can conduct the raid and investigations in Delhi but can enter other jurisdiction with "general consent" of their government.

Meanwhile, the Narendra Modi led central government is facing flak from the opposition for sacking the CBI chief Alok Verma. Yesterday, Verma was removed as CBI chief by the selection panel headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was held to discuss charges against the former chief of the country’s premier investigative agency. The other two members of the panel were Justice A.K. Sikri and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. However, Kharge opposed the removal of the former CBI director and demanded another chance for him.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2019 08:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).