The use of government agencies by powerful political parties has become a controversial topic in India’s dynamic political landscape, raising questions about the rule of law and the integrity of democratic institutions. Supposedly charged with enforcing law and order and preserving justice, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and other state vigilance agencies have found themselves increasingly used as instruments to settle political scores, quell opposition, and sway public opinion. The degree of politicalization of these agencies is demonstrated by recent cases, which raises concerns about the legitimacy of state institutions and the equity of governance and this issue has been highlighted from very past political crisis time but the rise of this agency has raised its voice up when BJP came into power after 2014.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is frequently referred to as India’s top investigative agency, has been involved in disputes about its independence and objectivity on several occasions. The purported manipulation of the Sushant Singh Rajput actor’s death inquiry exposed the agency’s vulnerability to political meddling. Local officials first handled the case as a suicide; however, public uproar and pressure from certain political circles resulted in the matter being sent to the CBI. But the probe soon turned into a media circus with competing stories and charges of political interference, which damaged the public’s trust in the agency’s capacity to carry out a fair investigation.
Comparably, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is in charge of stopping financial crimes and money laundering, has frequently been charged with singling out opposition figures and dissident voices. The agency’s independence and impartiality have come under scrutiny due to the way it has handled high-profile cases like the suspected financial irregularities involving well-known opposition politicians. Critics contend that rather than respecting the values of justice and accountability, the ED frequently takes politically motivated steps meant to damage the reputations of opponents and sway election results. In recent times Delhi Chief Minister Arvind kejriwal has been arrested by this agency under the case of Liquor scam which says that this opposition party of BJP has waived off 136 crore of some parties and taken 100 crore for their party election campaign but no one bothers even the media when electoral bond scam by ruling party was happening and 6500 crore was received by BJP by many corporate houses, at that point of time media’s lips were sealed.
Similarly, State-level vigilance organizations entrusted with looking into cases of corruption and misconduct have also come under fire for what is seen to be their lack of independence and prejudice. The investigation into the alleged corruption charges against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other government officials by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in Kerala set off a political firestorm. Opposition parties accused the bureau of working at the behest of the ruling party. The case, which was beset by issues and delays, weakened public confidence in the state’s anti-corruption apparatus by adding to the sense of institutional bias and political meddling.
In addition to undermining democratic and legal norms, the politicization of government agencies also erodes public confidence in the impartiality and fairness of state institutions. Democratic standards and the integrity of governance are seriously threatened by the selective targeting of political opponents, the use of investigations for political purposes, and the loss of institutional autonomy. In addition, the weaponization of these organizations fosters a climate of fear and intimidation that stifles dissent and prevents the free flow of ideas that is necessary for a healthy democracy. As per reports the 95% cases registered by these agencies in past are on leaders of opposition parties.
Comprehensive changes aiming at depoliticizing government institutions, bolstering their autonomy, and improving accountability procedures are necessary to address this systemic problem. Maintaining the integrity of democratic institutions and restoring public confidence require actions like establishing strong monitoring systems, protecting agencies from political influence, and guaranteeing openness in their operations.
In conclusion, there is a concerning trend that threatens the fundamentals of democracy and governance in India: the exploitation of government agencies by powerful political parties. In light of recent events, reforms are desperately needed to preserve state institutions’ independence and impartiality and to make sure they continue to fulfill their responsibility to protect the rule of law and justice.