Staff crunch in CBI as it readies to probe Vyapam scam

New Delhi, July 11: The Central Bureau of Investigation has its hands full and probing the Vyapam scam would require more manpower. The CBI currently is burdened with high profile cases which include the Saradha scam which alone has 55 cases attached to it.

With 9,000 cases pending before the CBI courts, the agency would require at least another 1,400 personnel if it needs to probe matters effectively. There is a requisition made to the Home Ministry regarding these vacancies.

Severe shortage of staff

The CBI clearly needs more men. Currently it is falling 20 per cent short of the required strength. These vacancies would include both investigators and law officers. A CBI officer says that due to the shortage of law officers there is at times delay in commencing court proceedings.

The agency has to fill up vacancies in all department and with a growing number of cases being referred to the CBI, the need for more investigators too arises.

Vyapam scam a big challenge

For the CBI, the investigations into the Vyapam scam is a huge challenge. It is in desperate need of more manpower and will need to put up a team a big team of both investigators and law officers.

CBI officials also point out that some of the best investigators are busy with other cases. We will look to call some of them in to be part of the team which probes the Vyapam case, the officer also added.

In the Vyapam case there are 2,800 accused persons while nearly 400 are absconding. This is not an easy job and would require a mammoth team to even begin the probe.

It will be a big challenge for us and moreover the Supreme Court had directed us to probe into the matter. We will see how many cases related to this case we would need to probe, the officer further added.

OneIndia