Special Police Establishment (SPE) was set up by Government of India in 1941.The function of SPE was to investigate cases of bribery and corruption in transaction with War and Supply Dept of India. Even after the World War there was a need for the central government agency to investigate bribery and corruption and thus DELHI SPECIAL POLICE ESTABLISHMENT ACT (DSPEA) was brought into force on 1946. The CBI’s power to investigate was derived from this act.
The DSPEA empowers a committee to appoint the Director of CBI. The committee consisting of following people.
- Prime Minister – Chairperson.
- Leader of Opposition – Member.
- Chief Justice of India or Supreme Court Judge recommended by Chief Justice – Member.
THE DELHI SPECIAL POLICE ESTABLISHMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 2014
The DSPE (AMENDMENT) BILL 2014 was passed in Lok Sabha. It alters the constitution for collegium for selection of CBI Director by inclusion of Leader of Biggest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha rather than recognized Leader of Opposition which includes a clause
“No appointment of a (CBI) Director shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or absence of member in a committee“.
This amendment to the bill makes the presence of all three members non mandatory while recommending the names for the post.