According to a gazette notification issued by the state government a fortnight ago, CBI cannot act against all-India service officers of Madhya Pradesh cadre working in the state.
The order bars CBI, which functions under Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, probe against officers in relation to Prevention of Corruption Act and abetments and conspiracies thereof.
"The state government hereby gives its consent to the extension of the powers and jurisdiction of the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment in the whole of the state of Madhya Pradesh for investigation of the offences committed by the employees of the central government, Central Public Undertakings and persons connected with the affairs of the central government.
"(excluding officers of the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and Indian Forest Service borne on Madhya Pradesh cadre serving under the government of Madhya Pradesh at the time of Commission of the alleged offences or their investigation)," the notification issued on October 12 said.
While Madhya Pradesh government senior officers remained tight-lipped about the gazette notification terming it as "nothing new", social activists have raised their objections against the government's move and termed it as an effort to shield corrupt officials.
Calls made to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) I S Dani and Home Minister Umashankar Gupta remained unanswered.
"It is an unfortunate attempt by Madhya Pradesh government. We condemn such kind of notifications. We want that government should take it back," said Ajay Dubey, social activist based in Madhya Pradesh.
