Bihar government mandates prior consent for CBI probes of state officials

The Bihar government has issued a notification requiring the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to obtain prior state permission before investigating officers or employees associated with the state. Issued by the Home Department under the authority of the Governor of Bihar, the order invokes Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.

While the notification maintains general consent for the CBI to investigate offences involving employees of the Government of India, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and private individuals, it establishes a specific exception for state-level personnel. Mandatory prior consent is now required for investigations involving public servants appointed to the Government of Bihar, employees of state-owned corporations, banks, or companies, and any institution receiving financial assistance from the state government.

The notification specifies that such consent will not be granted automatically but will be evaluated on an individual basis.