Delhi: The Supreme Court’s 2013 observation likening the CBI to a caged parrot came under scrutiny once again on Friday as the central agency faced criticism. The Court emphasized that the CBI must dispel the notion of being a caged parrot and instead foster the image of an untamed one. This remark came as the Supreme Court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a case related to liquor policy corruption.
In a democracy governed by the rule of law, an investigative agency must be above any board, similar to Caesar’s wife. Previously, the court had compared the CBI to a caged parrot. Justice Ujjwal Bhuyan stated that it is essential for the CBI to dispel the image of being a caged parrot and work towards creating the perception of an untamed one.
Justice Bhuyan added that the CBI, being a major investigative agency in the country, not only needs to be above the board but also should be perceived as such.
After five and a half months, Kejriwal was released from jail. The Supreme Court overturned the High Court’s decision to deny bail, noting that prolonged imprisonment was not appropriate and that a trial was unlikely to conclude shortly. Kejriwal had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s order, which upheld the CBI’s arrest. The Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal on March 21 concerning the liquor policy case.
While Kejriwal was in Tihar Jail, the CBI recorded his arrest on June 26. On July 12, the Supreme Court granted interim bail in the Enforcement Directorate case, but he could not be released from jail as he had not yet received bail in the CBI case.
