Chandrababu Naidu government bars CBI from entering Andhra Pradesh without its permission

The Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh has withdrawn the ‘general consent’ accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), that basically means the agency cannot conduct raids or investigations in the state without permission. A ‘confidential’ government order to this effect, issued by principal secretary (home) AR Anuradha on November 8, was “leaked” late Thursday night.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, Government hereby withdraw the general consent accorded (in GO Ms 109) to all the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise the powers and jurisdiction under the said Act in the state of Andhra Pradesh,” the latest GO said.

With this move, the Andhra Pradesh government has also empowered the state investigation agency with the CBI's duties.

On August 3 this year, the AP government issued the GO Ms No. 109 according “general consent” to all members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise the powers and jurisdiction in AP against officials of the central government, central government undertakings and private persons for investigating offences under various laws, including the Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to CBI rules, the agency has a complete jurisdiction over Delhi but can enter other states with the "general consent" of their government. The CBI functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. Now that the permission has been withdrawn, it will be interesting to see how the CBI reacts.

Ever since Naidu snapped ties with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in March this year, he had been alleging that the Centre was misusing agencies like the CBI to target political opponents.

India Today quoting sources within the CBI reported that the agency hasn’t received any such notification from Andhra Pradesh.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has extended her support to move.

"What Chandrababu Naidu has done is right. The CBI receives instructions from the BJP," she said.

(With PTI inputs)