Hight courts should call in CBI only if they feel fair probe unlikely by state police: SC

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has said that the court should refrain from ordering CBI inquiry in a routine manner and it should direct probe by the central agency only when it comes to a prima facie conclusion that investigation cannot be done properly and fairly by state police.

It further said that the court should exercise the extraordinary power to order CBI probe sparingly, cautiously and in exceptional situations where it becomes necessary to provide credibility and instil confidence in investigations.

While quashing Punjab and Haryana HC order directing CBI probe in a cheating and forgery case , a bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K Vinod Chandran said, "HCs should direct for CBI investigation only in cases where material prima facie discloses something calling for an investigation by CBI and it should not be done in a routine manner or on the basis of some vague allegations. The "if" and "buts" without any definite conclusion are not sufficient to put an agency like CBI into motion."

It said the probe by the central agency should be ordered where the incident may have national and international ramifications or where such an order may be necessary for doing complete justice and enforcing the fundamental rights.