Karnataka CID can now file an FIR in criminal cases

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The state government has issued an order empowering the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in filing of the FIRs on the model of central investigative agencies.

The order was issued with an aim to speed up the investigation and to make them more transparent.

Normally when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other central investigation agencies take up serious criminal cases including terrorist activities, economic crimes or hawala rackets in the country, they file an FIR at the police station under their jurisdiction and begin the investigation.

However CID lacked this power. Director General of Police, CID, Dr MA Saleem had proposed to the state government to provide the department with an officer with the power to file an FIR so that the officials can ensure effective investigation and timely filing of chargesheets.

Following the request, the state Home department has provided the CID with an officer of the Inspector of Police ranks who can file an FIR over criminal cases transferred to the department from across the state.