National

'We Simply Do Our Job"

CBI director Joginder Singh speaks to <i>Outlook</i> on the spate of legal reverses the agency has suffered recently. Excepts:

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'We Simply Do Our Job"
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How do you account for so many acquittals in cases framed by the CBI? First the hawala cases and now St Kitts.

The CBI's duty is to investigate a case thoroughly and put it before the court. Thereafter, it is to be decided by the court. As for hawala, charges were framed in two cases by the designated court. A revision petition was filed against this order in the Delhi High Court. The High Court gave a judgement about the admissibility of some evidence which was used in these cases.

It is being said that the agency has been in too much of a hurry to frame charges?

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If the investigation is delayed due to some factors not under our control, you people say the CBI is dragging its feet. If chargesheets are filed, then you say the CBI is in a hurry. We simply do our job and try to finish it in a reasonable time the process is sometimes delayed due to some factors not in our control, like investigations in foreign countries etc.

Are you thinking of bringing about changes in the CBI's legal advisors? After all,charges are finalised only after they have given the go-ahead.

We have very good legal support. We have our own legal advisor, who is an officer of the rank of joint secretary. He is assisted by additional legal advisors. Every branch has a deputy legal advisor and public prosecutors. We engage special counsel, if needed. We are also preparing panels of special counsel in high courts and other places where special CBI courts are functioning.

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What steps are you going to take in cases which are coming up for hearing in the courts?

We regularly monitor cases during trail. I have given instructions to the deputy inspector-generals and superintendents of police to monitor the court cases personally. I have asked the superintendents of police to attend the court personally wherever important proceedings take place.

What is the status of the SLP in the hawala case?

We have recommended filing of the SLP in the Supreme Court.

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