New Delhi: 13 December 2021:: The Central Bureau of Investigation on 13 December 2021 organized the ‘Investiture Ceremony’ in New Delhi. Dr.Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grienvances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space was the Chief Guest at event which was also graced by Suresh N.Patel, Chief Vigilance Commissioner & Pradip Kumar Tripathi, Union Secretary (Personnel).
Dr. Jitendra Singh in his address congratulated the decorated awardee officers and called upon them to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation with best of their skills and talent. Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated that the Modi Government is committed to uphold, preserve and strengthen the independence and autonomy of CBI and all such other investigating institutions. He also said that zero-tolerance for corruption, transparency and citizen centricity are the three main Mantras that determine the administrative outlook of the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, irrespective of ideological beliefs, it is the collective responsibility of all to strengthen institutions like CBI, as these institutions also contribute to strengthening the nation's resolve to achieve the ultimate goal of incorruptibility in society.
DrJitendra Singh said, to fulfill the commitment of zero tolerance against corruption and unaccounted money, a range of initiatives have been taken by the Modi government over the last 7 years. He said, soon after taking oath as Prime Minister on 26th May, 2014, the very first cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi took the decision to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to unearth the black money. He said, since 2014, there have been a series of reforms including the Amendment in the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, setting up of the office of Lok Pal and instantly placing all the government decisions including the ACC decisions in public domain for enhanced transparency.The Minister pointed out that more than 1500 laws have been abolished in the past years and various rules and regulations have been simplified.
Expressing concern over certain States withdrawing the general consent to CBI to investigate cases but nevertheless holding on the prerogative to give selective consent where it suits them, Dr Jitendra Singh called for wider introspection by the polity, the society and the nation at large whether this is the kind of propriety which is to be followed. He emphasized that these State Governments have to come clear and state whether they trust CBI or not, or whether they trust CBI selectively as they continue to give selective consent in cases which suit them.
The Minister called upon these State governments to rethink on the decision of withdrawal of general consent to CBI to investigate cases. The Minister reminded that many cases are also referred to CBI by the States under public pressure which indicates that people have greater trust in CBI. Similarly, complex and urgent cases are also assigned to CBI by the judiciary on many occasions, he added.
Drawing attention to the Prime Minister’s address in October this year, wherein he said, “New India is no longer ready to accept that corruption as part of the system”, DrJitendra Singh said, efforts are afoot at a fast pace to make the system transparent, efficient and smooth. He said, Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was amended after 30 years in 2018 to introduce a number of new provisions including criminalizing the act of giving bribe also, in addition to taking bribe and at the same time putting in place an effective deterrence for such actions by individuals as well as corporate entities. He said the commitment of the present government is to bring in more transparency, more citizen centricity and more accountability in governance and is indicated by its decisive initiatives to operationalize the institution of the Lokpal in the country to check corruption at high places.
Speaking Speaking on the occasion, Director CBI Shri Subodh Kumar Jaiswal congratulated all the CBI awardees. Shri Jaiswal reiterated unflinching commitment of CBI to work towards the national goal of Zero Tolerance against Corruption stating that CBI has over the years evolved into a multidisciplinary premier investigating agency of the country inducting processional from different fields. Shri Jaiswal also stressed that CBI is trusted by Courts, Governments and people at large. For every serious crime, there is always a clamor for CBI investigation. The success of CBI is exemplified by the fact that CBI has over the years been able to achieve nearly 70% conviction rate despite of the fact that accused are able to get best of legal support. He underlined that CBI is committed to take forward the great legacy and adapt with time
Shri Jaiswal also delved on “Vision 75” of CBI in the context of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav being observed in the 75th year of India’s Independence. He informed that CBI has initiated a comprehensive internal process of modernization, upgradation of capacities, setting higher benchmarks for investigation and preventive vigilance and for leveraging cutting edge capabilities to combat new age crime. DCBI added that CBI has identified 75 practices, which need to be discouraged so as to enhance efficiency of the organization.
Referring to designation of CBI as authorized agency of Central Government to investigate computer related crimes, Jaiswal informed that CBI has a well-functioning Cyber Crime Unit. He added, appreciating the menace of Online Sexual Child Abuse, CBI has created a specialized Cell for investigating such crimes. Referring to last month’s crack down, he said, CBI conducted intelligence based countrywide operation against social media groups involved in Online Child Sexual Abuse. Elaborating the vastness of the operation, he informed that there were more than 5000 individuals identified from more than 80 different locations in India and more than 100 countries across the globe. DCBI also informed that we are further developing our operational capabilities in this regard.
Shri Jaiswal further said that investigations into corruption cases, economic offences and complex financial crimes pose newer and multiple challenges. There is a growing emphasis worldwide not only on prosecuting offenders but also on recovering the proceeds of crime. This requires acquisition of new capabilities by law enforcement agencies and also reviewing the existing Standard Operating Procedures. “We have taken note that the problems of today cannot be solved by using the skills and knowledge of yesterday”, he added.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, presented the Police Medals for Meritorious Service to 47 CBI officials, namely Tej Prakash Devrani, Inspector, ACB, CBI, Dehradun. (Now DSP); Shri K.Pradeep Kumar, DSP, EO-III, CBI, New Delhi (Now ASP); Pramod Kumar, DSP, AC-I, CBI, New Delhi; Thakur Singh Bhandari, Inspector, ACB, CBI, Ghaziabad; Shri Surender Singh Yadav, Inspector, AC-II, CBI, New Delhi (Now repatriated); Sachidananda Rath, Inspector, ACB, CBI, Bhubaneswar (Now DSP); Arjun Vasant Pawar, Inspector, EOW, CBI, Mumbai(Now DSP); Shafi Mohammed, SI, ACB, CBI, Jodhpur (Now Inspector); Digambir Singh Bisht, ASI, AC-II, CBI, New Delhi (Now Retired); Shri Rajinder Singh, Head Constable, CBI Academy, Ghaziabad (Now Retired as ASI); Sukhbir Singh, Head Constable, ACB, CBI, Kolkata (Now retired as ASI); Shri Shashi Pal, Head Constable, ACB, CBI, Ranchi (Now Retired); Shri Mahambir Singh, Head Constable, BS& FC, CBI, Mumbai; Virender Kumar Khatri, Head Constable, ACB, CBI, Guwahati; Kamlesh Kumar, Constable, CBI (HQ), New Delhi (Now HC); V.Balaji, Constable, ACB, CBI, Chennai (Now Head Constable); Bali Ram, Office Superintendent, CBI(HQ), New Delhi Shri Virender Mohan Mittal, Addl. SP, ACB, CBI, Delhi; Ram Singh, Addl. SP, ACB. CBI, Chandigarh; S. C. Jiani, DSP, AC-II, CBI, New Delhi(Now ASP); Peddiraju Bandi, DSP, EO-III, CBI, New Delhi; Shri A.Z.Shaikh, DSP, ACB, CBI, Mumbai; Shri Puran Singh, Inspector, ACB, CBI, New Delhi; Shri Ram Charan Gangwal, SI, SCB, CBI, Chandigarh(Now Inspector); Shri Man Singh, ASI, AC-I, CBI, New Delhi(Now Retired); Shri Manmohan Singh, Head Constable, CBI Academy, Ghaziabad; Shri Bachan Singh Rawat, Office Supdt., EO-II, CBI, New Delhi(Now Retired); Shri Debajyoti Dey, Steno Grade-II, CBI(HQ), New Delhi(Now Steno Grade-I); Shri S. M. Mathapati, ASI, BS&FC, CBI, Bangalore; Shri Binoy Chand Ghosh, ASI, CBI(HQ), New Delhi; Shri Sanjay Gangaram Sawant, Head Constable, BS&FC, CBI, Mumbai; Shri Ganga Ram Bhati, Head Constable, ACB, CBI, Jodhpur; Shri Indrajit Singh Yadav, Constable, SCB, CBI, Lucknow(Now Head Constable); Shri Jagroop S. Gusinha, SP, AC-VI/SIT, CBI, New Delhi (Now Sr.SP); Shri Rajender Singh, Inspector, BS&FC, CBI, Mumbai; Shri Bodh Raj, Inspector, EO-I, CBI, New Delhi; Shri Vijay Bahadur, Inspector, AC-I, CBI, New Delhi; Shri Sanjay Kant Jha, Inspector, CBI(HQ), New Delhi; Shri Gurmeet Singh, ASI, AC-I, CBI, New Delhi (Now SI); Shri Ballabh Prasad, ASI, IPCC, CBI, New Delhi; Shri Chaman Lal, ASI, STF, CBI, New Delhi; Shri Jagpal Singh, Head Constable, ACB, CBI, New Delhi; Shri Babu Ram, Head Constable, AC-III, CBI, New Delhi; Shri Sushil Kumar, Head Constable, CBI Academy, Ghaziabad; Shri K.P.Singh, Head Constable, EO-I, CBI, New Delhi; Shri Rajeev Kumar, PA, CBI Policy Division, New Delhi(Now PS) & Shri Amar Singh, Head Constable, ACB, CBI, Bhopal.Dr. Jitendra Singh also presented Gold Medal for Best Investigating Officer to Smt.Seema Pahuja, DSP, SC-I, CBI, New Delhi
Praveen Sinha, Special Director, CBI gave the Vote of Thanks. The event was also joined virtually by all the CBI branches across the country.
