Vijayawada: In an unprecedented move, the Andhra Pradesh government has withdrawn ‘general consent’ given to the CBI, restricting its activities in the state.
In the last few days, AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has been vocal about the controversy surrounding CBI saying the Modi government was misusing agencies like the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and income-tax IT department to intimidate and harass Opposition parties.
Mr Naidu has alleged that TD leaders and businessmen linked to the ruling party have been subjected to income-tax raids after his NDA pullout. Subsequently, the AP government had decided against providing police cover to I-T officials for conducting raids.
Following the withdrawal of general consent, the CBI is barred from investigating and carrying out raids in the state, including questioning Central government employees working in the state and private individuals residing in AP. It can only do so after securing permission from the state government.
CBI officers have to take prior permission from the AP government to oprate in the state.
The general consent is given to the CBI to investigate into crimes and conspiracies covering around 187 Sections of the IPC and 63 Central Acts.
