New West Bengal Government Clears All Pending Requests For CBI Sanctions
State removes hurdles for pending CBI investigations and approvals.
The newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal has cleared all pending requests from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking sanction to prosecute public servants, a move that is expected to accelerate several high-profile corruption cases that had remained stalled for years.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the approvals were granted within a month of the new administration taking office, ending a prolonged period during which the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government had declined to act on such requests. The sanctions are expected to pave the way for trials in cases linked to the alleged irregular recruitment of teachers and municipal employees, among other investigations.
Also Read: Trump Envoy Pushes Ahead With Crucial US-Iran Negotiations In Switzerland
The development follows the state government's decision last week to restore the general consent required for CBI investigations and prosecutions. The consent had been withdrawn by the TMC government in 2018, forcing the federal agency to seek permission on a case-by-case basis for investigations within the state. The restoration is being viewed as a significant policy shift in the state's approach towards central investigative agencies.
Officials said the CBI has received sanctions in 42 cases under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Such approvals are mandatory before a charge sheet can be filed against a public servant and before courts can take cognisance of corruption-related charges. Several of these requests had reportedly remained pending for years, delaying legal proceedings and preventing cases from moving to trial.
A senior official familiar with the process said some of the cases involve former high-ranking officials who served in the West Bengal government. Without the necessary sanctions, courts were unable to proceed with the matters despite investigations having been completed. The approvals are now expected to remove a major procedural hurdle and allow judicial proceedings to begin.
The decision marks one of the most consequential administrative actions taken by the new BJP government since assuming office. It is likely to have far-reaching implications for ongoing corruption probes and could bring renewed focus on allegations that have dominated West Bengal's political landscape in recent years.
Also Read: Jay Shah Meets Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Discusses Cricket Development In Sri Lanka
