Illegal coal mining case: Did not require prior consent from WB to conduct probe, CBI tells SC

The Central Bureau of Investigation argued in the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it did not need the consent of the West Bengal government to probe any crime in the state, especially when the decision has been vetted by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the high court.

This issue has been at the centre of many a wrangling between the Centre and Opposition-ruled states.

States argue that the CBI cannot probe a crime in their territories when law and order is a state subject. The top court has earlier held that constitutional courts could order a CBI probe into any issue in a state. In this case, the CBI acted under CVC orders to probe the alleged scam under the public trust doctrine. This was later upheld by a single judge and a division bench of the Calcutta High Court.