This refers to the editorial “Invest in investigation” (May 23). The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) lacks the necessary competence to execute a case to its proper conclusion.
The 1987 Bofors payoffs case is a telling example. The bitter fact that the CBI itself recommended the removal of Ottavio Quattrocchi from the Red Corner Notice (RCN) list is a clear reflection of the failure of the agency in handling the case. The Bofors case has raised serious questions about the independence and sovereignty of the CBI. And the time has come for the agency to act autonomously on such high-profile cases as the Bofors payoffs.
The government should look into the basic problems ailing the CBI. To start with, the selection of CBI officials should be based on their capabilities and past experience in intelligence agencies. Also, officers should be given training in information technology. And India should emulate Europe, where technology plays an important role in the fight against terrorism and crime.
P Senthil Saravana Durai, Hyderabad
Readers should write to:
The Editor, Business Standard,
Nehru House,
4, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,
New Delhi 110 002,
Fax: (011) 23720201;
letters@bsmail.in
