Jal Jeevan Mission Scam in Rajasthan | 08 May 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an First Information Report (FIR) in the centrally-funded Jal Jeevan Mission scheme scam case in Rajasthan.

Key Points

  • According to the officials, Jaipur-based contractors used fake completion certificates purportedly issued by Indian Railway Construction International Limited (IRCON) to get tenders from the Public Health Engineering Department of the state.
  • The CBI action came after the conclusion of an eight-month-long preliminary enquiry registered in August 2023.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

  • It is the premier investigating police agency in India.
    • It provides assistance to the Central Vigilance Commission and Lokpal.
  • It functions under the superintendence of the Deptt. of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India - which falls under the prime minister’s office.
  • It is also the nodal police agency in India which coordinates investigations on behalf of Interpol Member countries.
  • Its conviction rate is as high as 65 to 70% and it is comparable to the best investigation agencies in the world.

First Information Report (FIR)

  • It is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence.
  • It is a report of information that reaches the police first in point of time and that is why it is called the First Information Report.
  • It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a cognizable offence or by someone on his/her behalf. Anyone can report the commission of a cognizable offence either orally or in writing.
  • The term FIR is not defined in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, or in any other law.
  • However, in police regulations or rules, information recorded under Section 154 of CrPC is known as First Information Report (FIR).
  • There are three important elements of an FIR:
    • The information must relate to the commission of a cognizable offence,
    • It should be given in writing or orally to the head of the police station,
    • It must be written down and signed by the informant, and its key points should be recorded in a daily diary.