Day after being termed illegal, CBI runs for help

With the Gauhati high court holding as unconstitutional the setting up of Central Bureau of Investigation, the agency on Friday sought urgent action from the government on the matter.

"We are studying the order of the Gauhati high court and will submit our opinion to Department of Personnel and Training. We are definitely seeking an urgent action on the situation," CBI Chief Ranjit Sinha said.

In a curious judgement, the high court had on Thursday struck down the resolution through which the CBI was set up and held all its actions as "unconstitutional".

The judgement by the division bench, comprising justices I A Ansari and Indira Shah, came on a writ petition filed by one Navendra Kumar challenging an order by a single judge of the high court in 2007 on the resolution through which CBI was set up.

Malhotra contended that the government resolution on the formation of the CBI has been held valid by the Apex court time and again in a number of judgements.

Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra said, "The judgement is patently wrong. It is bound to be set aside. We are certainly going to challenge it and the appeal is likely to be filed in the Supreme Court latest by Monday."