April 12, 2025 - The Supreme Court has said that a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cannot be ordered routinely or merely based on vague allegations. Such an investigation should only be handed over to the CBI when the facts clearly indicate that the case warrants the agency's involvement following a prima facie conclusion that an investigation by the State police will not be fair.

On these lines, the Apex Court quashed a Punjab and Haryana High Court's order for a CBI probe in a cheating and forgery case. This decision came from a Bench comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice K Vinod Chandran, in response to an appeal challenging the High Court's May 2024 order. The complainant had alleged in the High Court that the police officers were known to the appellant and could potentially be involved in the matter.

The Supreme Court clarified that the CBI should be involved only in investigations having national or international consequences. As also where full justice is required and fundamental rights have to be enforced.

The "if" and "buts" without any definite conclusion are not sufficient to put an agency like CBI into motion,” India’s top Court ruled.

With Media Inputs