Definition
Central Bureau of Investigation.
Premier investigating agency of India.
Statutory Definition
Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
Etymology & Origin
Originally established as the Special Police Establishment (SPE) in 1941 to investigate bribery in the War and Supply Department, renamed CBI in 1963.
Full Legal Analysis
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the premier federal investigating agency of India. It handles complex, high-profile cases involving corruption by public servants, economic offences, large-scale financial frauds, and specialized crimes having national or international ramifications.
Unlike the police forces of various states, which are governed by the Police Act, the CBI derives its legal powers from a specific pre-independence statute.
A crucial legal limitation of the CBI is its jurisdiction. It can generally only investigate cases within a State if that State Government has granted 'general consent' under Section 6 of the DSPE Act, or if the Supreme Court or a High Court specifically directs a CBI probe.
The Supreme Court clarified the powers and jurisdiction of the CBI (DSPE) to investigate cases across state borders subject to statutory consent requirements.
In criminal defence, challenging the jurisdiction of the CBI, the validity of the state's consent, or the procedural adherence to the DSPE Act are common preliminary strategies employed by advocates.
This Term in Indian Statutes
Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, 1946
"Constitution and powers of special police establishment."
The foundational law granting police powers to the CBI.
