New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday revoked the "General Consent" that barred the Central Bureau of Investigation's entry into the state. The latest government order cancels an earlier one issued by Chandrababu Naidu's government.
Naidu had withdrawn the 'general consent' to the CBI to conduct raids and carry out investigations on central establishments in the state in November last year.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the government hereby withdraws the general consent accorded (in GO Ms 109) to all the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise the powers and jurisdiction under the said Act in the state of Andhra Pradesh," the GO had said.
The then Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa had said the reason to withdraw the consent was allegations against the top officials of the country's premier investigation agency.
The YSR Congress that assumed power on May 30 issued a fresh order Thursday cancelling the GO 176 issued on November 8, 2018. Based on his directions, Special Chief Secretary Manmohan Singh issued GO 81 to this effect.
"The order issued on November 8, 2018 is hereby cancelled under the provisions of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946," it said.
The CBI will now have all powers to take up corruption and other cases in AP.
The premier investigative agency functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. Under Section 6 of the Act, a state government "routinely" grants consent to the CBI for exercising its authority in the state and the AP government, too, had issued relevant orders periodically.
In a series of tweets, YSR Congress leader Vijaysai Reddy had said on Monday, "Chandrababu banned CBI and he prevented I-T raids. He questioned how ED comes in the state. Now Jagan has issued orders allowing the CBI into the state. CM made it clear that thieves will not be spared. Look out Chandrababu."
Naidu's move last year had been backed by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee who had claimed that the CBI "received instructions from the BJP."
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had also supported the then Andhra CM. "Chandrababuji has done the right thing. Modiji is misusing the CBI and the income-tax department. Naiduji, please don’t let the income-tax department enter your state, either," he tweeted.
(With inputs from PTI)