Bihar Imposes State Approval Requirement for CBI Probes into Officials

The Bihar Home Department on September 3, 2026, issued a notification substantially restricting the Central Bureau of Investigation's operational autonomy within the state. According to the order, the CBI must obtain prior approval from the state government before initiating investigations against Bihar government employees.

The notification carves out a notable exception for Central government employees, whom the CBI may investigate without seeking state permission. This distinction underscores the Bihar government's intent to preserve state sovereignty over matters concerning its own workforce while respecting the federal agency's authority over central officials.

The move represents a tightening of state control over investigative proceedings and reflects ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities regarding jurisdictional boundaries. State governments across India have occasionally sought greater oversight of independent agencies operating within their territories, citing administrative coordination and sovereignty concerns.

The CBI, which operates under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, typically functions with broad investigative powers across Indian states. Such restrictions from individual states create a complex regulatory landscape for the federal agency's operations.