Kerala says ‘Centre circumventing federal structure to get a foothold in the State’s domain through the CBI’
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to respond to an appeal filed by the Kerala government to quash an FIR registered by the premier investigative agency into alleged irregularities in the implementation of the LIFE Mission housing project.
Appearing before a Bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan, senior advocate K.V. Vishwanathan and advocate G. Prakash, for Kerala, accused the Centre through the CBI of “circumventing federal structure to get a foothold in the State’s domain”.
“Life Mission is a housing project to tide over the unimaginable loss caused by flood. Houses are given free-of-cost How does the CBI enter here? The Chief Minister is heading the project,” Mr. Vishwanathan submitted.
The senior advocate argued that the CBI could investigate a State issue only if there was a High Court order to do so or if…