New Delhi:
The government today opposed the outline presented by the CBI to grasp more autonomy as it carries out politically-sensitive corruption investigations.
In the Supreme Court today, the government said it does not agree with the agency's suggestion for a longer term and enhanced financial and administrative powers for its Director.
"An all-powerful Director without adequate checks and balances would be against constitutional principles," the government said in an affidavit.
It also insisted that the government's sanction is needed for the interrogation of senior officials.
In May this year, the Supreme Court reproached the CBI for being "a caged parrot" after the agency disclosed that a report on alleged irregularities in how coal mining licenses were issued had been shared with officials in the Law Ministry and Prime Minister's Office before it was presented in court.
The Supreme Court responded by demanding details of how the government will free the CBI from political interference.
In June, the government said that it would set up a three-member "Accountability Commission" of retired judges to investigate complaints and said a senior bureaucrat would monitor CBI-led trials to prevent meddling.
The government "shall not interfere with investigation or disposal of cases," it said.
Changes were also proposed to bolster the independence of the CBI chief, who would be appointed by a three-member panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Supreme Court Chief Justice and the Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
Only the national president would be able to sack him.
The CBI has also been accused in the past of going slow in probing charges of corruption against high-profile political figures, resulting in either their acquittal or non-prosecution.