CBI identifies need for additional staff as it probes cases in West Bengal

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a review of its existing manpower in West Bengal as it probes more than two dozen cases in the state on the orders of the Calcutta High Court.

The central agency is investigating a range of cases in West Bengal, including teacher appointments, coal smuggling, cattle smuggling, rape of girls, chit fund scams, and the Narada sting operation, among others. The review aims to identify areas where additional staff is required to expedite the investigation process.

Currently, two units of the CBI are working in West Bengal: the Anti-Corruption Wing (ACB), which investigates various financial irregularities in government school recruitment, cattle smuggling, and coal smuggling, and the Special Crime Branch (SCB), which is probing cases of post-election violence in the state. The ACB operates out of CBI's Nizam Palace in central Kolkata, while the SCB operates from its office at CGO Complex in Salt Lake.

During CBI Additional Director Ajay Bhatnagar's recent visit to Kolkata, officials had highlighted the problem of manpower shortage in the agency's Kolkata offices, especially in the ACB unit. In response, Bhatnagar assured that officials from other states would be deputed to West Bengal soon to speed up the investigation process. The current manpower review aims to identify areas where additional personnel are required and the appointment of rank-based officers in those areas.

According to preliminary estimates in the review, approximately 100 additional personnel are required at the posts of Sub-Superintendents, Inspectors, and Sub-Inspectors. Bhatnagar has assured his junior colleagues of some additional force immediately and the rest will be appointed based on requirements identified in the manpower review.

The CBI has faced criticism from judges in several cases for its slow pace of investigation, particularly in cases related to scams in the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff. The CBI team investigating the scam is also pushing for an increase in the number of employees in view of the names of more influential people coming out during the investigation.