Central Bureau of Investigation — Legal Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
CVC Act, 2003	2003	This Act granted statutory status to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and provided for its superintendence over the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) in matters related to the investigation of offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.	Significantly enhanced the CVC's role in overseeing CBI's corruption investigations, aiming to provide a layer of insulation from executive interference and ensure greater autonomy for the investigative agency in such cases. It was a direct outcome of the Vineet Narain judgment.
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013	2013	This Act established the Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states. It brought the CBI under the superintendence of the Lokpal for cases referred by the Lokpal, and mandated that the CBI's Director of Prosecution and other officers investigating such cases cannot be transferred without the Lokpal's approval.	Introduced another layer of external oversight for CBI, specifically for corruption cases referred by the Lokpal, aiming to ensure impartial and independent investigation of public servants, including the Prime Minister in certain circumstances. It added to the institutional checks and balances.
Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Act, 2014	2014	This amendment modified the process for appointing the CBI Director. It replaced the earlier process (where the Director was appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of the CVC) with a high-powered committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India (or a Supreme Court Judge nominated by him), and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.	Aimed to enhance the transparency and independence of the CBI Director's appointment process by involving both the executive, judiciary, and opposition, thereby reducing the scope for executive discretion and political influence in selecting the agency's head.
Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 (later Act)	2021	This ordinance, subsequently enacted as an Act, amended the DSPE Act to allow for the extension of the tenure of the CBI Director for up to five years, through annual extensions, beyond the initial fixed two-year term.	Intended to provide greater stability and continuity to the CBI Director's tenure, potentially insulating the incumbent from short-term political pressures and allowing for long-term strategic planning and execution of investigations. However, it also sparked debate regarding potential for executive control through annual extensions.