CVC asks govt to fasttrack implementation of LRs in graft case

In its recommendations, the Central Vigilance Commission has also asked government to empower CBI to send its team of sleuths to any place outside the country and post special police officers in missions.

"On a review of the existing procedure/methodology followed for investigations abroad, it is observed that the system requires certain improvements both for speeding up the process and for delivering qualitative results," the anti- probity watchdog said in its annual report.

"The measures consists of (a) empowering Director, CBI to send teams for investigation abroad as per requirement of the case under investigation, (b) setting up of a cell with law officers in each law enforcement agency for preparation of LR to ensure that it does not suffer from any legal infirmity.

"(c) to enact a separate and special law amending existing law for enhancing mutual assistance and international cooperation in criminal matters and investigation abroad and (d) posting of police officers as Police Liaison officers in Indian Embassies/High Commission on the lines being followed by different countries," it said in report for 2010.
The Letters Rogatory or LR are formal communication sent by the Court in which action is pending to a foreign court or judge requesting the testimony of a witness residing within the jurisdiction of that foreign court. "Considering the significance to expedite investigation abroad by the CBI which in turn would improve its functioning, the Commission has taken up these matters with the government to consider implementation of these measures," the report said.

The CVC, which exercises superintendence over the functioning of CBI in matters relating to investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, has been actively involved in probe in various high profile cases like 2G spectrum allocation scam and Commonwealth Games financial bunglings among others.

During the year 2010, 1009 regular cases/preliminary enquiries were registered by CBI. At the end of the year, 815 cases/enquiries were pending investigation/enquiry, the CVC report for 2010 said.

The probity watchdog's annual report was submitted to President Pratibha Patil on June 30 this year.