Lack of clarity in law to act against political hierarchy: CVC

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has sought "more clarity" in a legislation governing its mandate in probing complaints of corruption against politicians or civil servants.

Vigilance Commissioner R Srikumar also said there was no uniformity across the states on the issue of handing Lack of clarity in law to act against political hierarchy: CVC
New Delhi, Nov 8 (PTI) The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has sought "more clarity" in a legislation governing its mandate in probing complaints of corruption against politicians or civil servants.

Vigilance Commissioner R Srikumar also said there was no uniformity across the states on the issue of handing over complaints to CBI for probe in corruption cases.

"The Central Vigilance Commission can regulate its own procedure as per the CVC Act but on taking action against the political hierarchy, or the higher echelons in the executive and taking up suo motu inquiries, more clarity is required in law," he told PTI today.

The CVC, which was set up in 1964, acts as a statutory body to check graft and advise central government on anti-graft related matters.

The anti-corruption watchdog functions through Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 which empowers the CVC to take action against central government officials in cases coming under Prevention of Corruption Act.

"There is no uniformity across the States for the CBI to take up cases; the State Government has the power to withdraw its consent and concurrence and this has often occurred in the past--Karnataka, the State where I served as DGP, being one such example," he said without elaborating.

It is pertinent to mention that the Madhya Pradesh government, through a Gazette notification, has recently barred CBI from probing IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service officers of the state cadre working in the state on corruption and other criminal charges against them.over complaints to CBI for probe in corruption cases.

"The Central Vigilance Commission can regulate its own procedure as per the CVC Act but on taking action against the political hierarchy, or the higher echelons in the executive and taking up suo motu inquiries, more clarity is required in law," he told PTI today.

The CVC, which was set up in 1964, acts as a statutory body to check graft and advise central government on anti-graft related matters.

The anti-corruption watchdog functions through Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 which empowers the CVC to take action against central government officials in cases coming under Prevention of Corruption Act.

"There is no uniformity across the States for the CBI to take up cases; the State Government has the power to withdraw its consent and concurrence and this has often occurred in the past--Karnataka, the State where I served as DGP, being one such example," he said without elaborating.

It is pertinent to mention that the Madhya Pradesh government, through a Gazette notification, has recently barred CBI from probing IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service officers of the state cadre working in the state on corruption and other criminal charges against them.