CBI has been called all sorts of things, for the sin of being a pliant tool
Signboard reading Central Bureau of Investigation. (Photo: PTI/File)
In its chequered existence the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been called all sorts of things, for the sin of being a pliant tool of whatever political dispensation happens to be in power. But must have come as a shocker to the CBI brass was the agency being described as “department of dirty tricks” by former West Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi — to their face!
The occasion was the 5th DP Kohli Memorial Lecture for CBI on “Eclipse at Noon: Shadows Over India’s Conscience” with nearly 3,000 officers of the agency in the audience, including CBI chief Ranjit Sinha and other top brass. Mr Gandhi made this observation during his lecture. He described CBI as “department of dirty tricks (DDT)” which had gained disrepute for being the “government’s hatchet”, clothed in opacity with a perfume of mystery. The poetic imagery notwithstanding Mr Gandhi’s comments left many in the audience squirming with embarrassment.
Clearly running the agency is no joy-ride. Just ask Mr Sinha!
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