NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of nationwide demand for a comprehensive Lokpal bill to tackle graft, CBI director A P Singh on Friday said the fight against corruption should ideally begin at school.
Speaking at the 12th D P Kohli Memorial Lecture, Singh said the agency is investigating very high-profile corruption cases where action has been taken against prominent personalities and the probe is still on. Former Commissioner of Scotland Yard Lord Ian Blair was the chief guest at the function.
"We also have a number of high-profile campaigns against corruption that are underway for a comprehensive Lokpal bill. It would be an autonomous body to tackle corruption at the highest level. The fight against corruption should ideally start at school as children are influenced by teachers," Singh said.
He cited the anti-cracker drive launched about a decade ago, which helped in bringing down the sale of crackers that were being manufactured using child labour in hazardous conditions. Police legitimacy in counter-terror actions was also discussed.
The CBI director said legitimacy of special legislations to deal with crimes committed by terrorists, however, has been questioned since they could be abused.
"The CBI has investigated a number of cases that challenge legitimacy of police action against alleged terrorists. Plea taken by police officers that they merely executed the orders of the superiors could not absolve them of the crime," he said. He added police legitimacy exists only when terror is countered within the rule of law. "There cannot be two schools of thought on this," he added.
Minister of state for Personnel V Narayanasamy said terrorism has to be countered, while adhering to relevant provisions of law and human rights. He said the fight against terrorism should use righteous means that are in conformity with Constitution, law and international obligations.
Lord Ian Blair said liberal democratic states are struggling with tension between civil liberties and "the first duty of any state — that of protecting its citizens from death and serious harm". He said in Britain a debate is raging between the champions of fundamental freedoms and their opponents.
"I am aware the position is similar in India. I gather that Acts of Parliament concerned with terrorism here like TADA, POTA have come and gone in recent times, as the significance of civil liberties or concerns for security gains the upper hand," he said.
Narayanasamy conferred police medals on 39 police officials at the programme.
Speaking at the 12th D P Kohli Memorial Lecture, Singh said the agency is investigating very high-profile corruption cases where action has been taken against prominent personalities and the probe is still on. Former Commissioner of Scotland Yard Lord Ian Blair was the chief guest at the function.
"We also have a number of high-profile campaigns against corruption that are underway for a comprehensive Lokpal bill. It would be an autonomous body to tackle corruption at the highest level. The fight against corruption should ideally start at school as children are influenced by teachers," Singh said.
He cited the anti-cracker drive launched about a decade ago, which helped in bringing down the sale of crackers that were being manufactured using child labour in hazardous conditions. Police legitimacy in counter-terror actions was also discussed.
The CBI director said legitimacy of special legislations to deal with crimes committed by terrorists, however, has been questioned since they could be abused.
"The CBI has investigated a number of cases that challenge legitimacy of police action against alleged terrorists. Plea taken by police officers that they merely executed the orders of the superiors could not absolve them of the crime," he said. He added police legitimacy exists only when terror is countered within the rule of law. "There cannot be two schools of thought on this," he added.
Minister of state for Personnel V Narayanasamy said terrorism has to be countered, while adhering to relevant provisions of law and human rights. He said the fight against terrorism should use righteous means that are in conformity with Constitution, law and international obligations.
Lord Ian Blair said liberal democratic states are struggling with tension between civil liberties and "the first duty of any state — that of protecting its citizens from death and serious harm". He said in Britain a debate is raging between the champions of fundamental freedoms and their opponents.
"I am aware the position is similar in India. I gather that Acts of Parliament concerned with terrorism here like TADA, POTA have come and gone in recent times, as the significance of civil liberties or concerns for security gains the upper hand," he said.
Narayanasamy conferred police medals on 39 police officials at the programme.
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