The increase in registration of cases by CBI is only marginal as compared to previous years and as such may not reflect any discernible trend, Lok Sabha was informed today.
In a written response, the Minister for State for Personnel Jitendra Singh also stressed that as per provisions of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (1946), cases pertaining to Union Territories can be taken up directly by CBI for investigation.
The Minister said the main reasons for marginal increase in registration of cases are due to larger number of cases referred by Supreme Court, High Courts and State Governments from time to time.
The data given by the Minister shows that the agency registered 1009 cases and preliminary inquiries in 2010, 1003 in 2011, 1048 in 2012, 1131 in 2013, 1174 in 2014 and 978 cases till November 30, 2015.
He said the agency has disposed off 1070 cases and preliminary inquiries in 2013, 1094 in 2014 and 761 till November 30, 2015.
The figure included 14 cases which were over five years old being disposed in 2013, three such cases in 2014 and two such cases till November 30, 2015, he said.
In a separate reply, the minister said during the last three years 908 cases were referred to CBI by state governments and Constitutional Courts.
The agency received 184 cases from state governments and constitutional courts in 2012, 240 in 2013, 207 in 2014 and 277 cases till November 30, 2015, he said.
"CBI investigates offences notified by the Central Government under section three of the DSPE Act in any Union Territory. The Central Government may extend the powers and jurisdiction of CBI for investigation of these offences to any areas in a State by notification under section 5 of DSPE Act, 1946 with the consent of the Government of that State under Section 6 of the Act," he said.
The Minister said 87 new Additional Special Courts have been set up in various states of the country to dispose off Prevention of Corruption Act cases expeditiously.
"Further the Government has also appointed competent and experienced Special Public Prosecutors and other counsels to expedite disposal of cases in courts," he said.
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The Minister said investigation is conducted by CBI as per provisions of CrPC and as per instructions contained in the Crime Manual.
Efforts are made by CBI to adhere to the time limits, he said.
"However, in many cases, further investigation is continued in certain points after filing of charge sheet in the concerned courts owing to requirement of investigation or on order of the courts," he said.
The Minister said in such cases, more than one charge sheet/final report are submitted in courts.
"In cases directed/monitored by the Supreme Court and High Court, status reports are submitted to such courts from time to time before the matters reach a conclusion. Moreover, investigation in each case is dependent upon the nature of crime involved, quantum of work required to be done, availability of suspects etc," he said.
