The Criminal Investigation Department is an ace detective agency. In its more than four decades of existence, first as the Corps of Detectives(COD) and now as CID, it has deftly handled a very large number of sensitive and important cases and has made a name for itself as a premier investigating agency of the country. It was established to investigate difficult cases of homicide, dacoity, narcotics, human trafficking, arms and explosives and economic offences, which normally are difficult for police stations to handle. The first cybercrime police station in India was established by the CID in Karnataka. This agency also specialized in investigation of dowry death and harassment cases.
Most of the investigating officers in the CID have several years of experience in the police department. The state government has also specially recruited law graduates to work as its investigating officers(IOs). The IOs are in turn assisted by three legal advisors, who are experienced public prosecutors. Because of this, investigation of cases in the CID is done in a scientific and systematic manner.
The agency has extensive technical support. Besides using the FSL-Karnataka, it also uses private laboratories to help it with its investigation. In fact it has the most modern interrogation room in Karnataka. To put it simply, the CID has enormous human and technical resources. Headed by an officer of DGP rank, it has a number of Additional DGPs, DIs GPs, SPs and support staff. Each unit of the CID is headed by an SP.
Over the years the CID has earned a name for itself for its fairness and thoroughness in investigation. Tough cases are handed over to it by the courts, the Lokayukta and the government. It has successfully investigated cases against political personages including ministers, agencies like the Karnataka Public Service Commission, government departments and so on. It has specialized in investigation of economic offences and has successfully prosecuted cases like the Vinivinc, Belgaum Ponzi scheme and the Mandya fake motor insurance case. Like the CBI, the CID too is capable of successfully handling any type of sensitive and difficult criminal case.
(The author was DGP, CID for two years)
