Is CBI obeying its manual on women IAS officers?

HYDERABAD: Last week, IAS officers turned to retired bureaucrat K Madhava Rao to articulate their pique at being in the glare of the CBI’s three high-profile cases.The former chief secretary defends the protests raised by the IAS lobby, by asking two questions: Is the CBI following its own manual in respect of women IAS officers? Why aren’t ministers being held responsible for a dodgy decision at the same time as secretaries?Excerpts from an interview with Kaki Madhava Rao:There is speculation that the recent IAS officers’ meeting was motivated by politics and that YSR Congress leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was behind it.Surely, the entire body of IAS officers could not have been foolish enough to allow themselves to be used by a politician? It’s absurd to think that the entire IAS fraternity will dance to the tune of a political leader.It’s also being speculated that IAS officer K Ratnaprabha triggered the meeting after she was summoned by CBI for questioning.I don’t know about that.In your articulation of the IAS officers’ case, you questioned the CBI’s handling of IAS officers. What exactly is your contention?I’m mainly talking about two aspects. Is the CBI following the rules in its manual? It has no powers other than those conferred on it in the CrPC. And these state that no male person under the age of 15 years or a woman shall be required to attend questioning at any place other than the place in which such male person or woman resides. Is the CBI following this? I do not know if the rules have changed. If the courtesy is being extended to women ministers, why not to women officers?Secondly, the cabinet form of government holds the minister primarily responsible for the working of a department. It does not say the secretary is primarily responsible. If a minister fails, then it is the collective responsibility of the entire cabinet. That is all I am seeking clarifications for.Does it mean that the CBI should not investigate IAS officers?Nobody can be as foolish as to say that. The CBI has the right to question women officers but all I’m asking is why isn’t the agency following its own manual? It may also be collecting information on ministers but why doesn’t it take action against the minister and secretary in one go? I’m sure the CBI is also collecting information on those who may not have signed on a particular file but played a role in the case. If the CBI finds enough material to arrest a particular person, how can someone say ‘don’t arrest him’?All I’m saying is do it (take action against ministers and secretaries) simultaneously.IAS officers have been critical of CBI joint director V V Lakshminarayana.The account I’ve heard of Lakshminarayana is that he is a good man. But I have two questions for the good man: are rules being followed while questioning women officers? And is the primary responsibility and collective responsibility aspects of the cases being paid heed to as mentioned in the business rules? I’m saying don’t just stop with the secretaries, also examine the role of ministers.IAS officers are complaining that the CBI is going after the small fish while the big fish are at large. Does this not imply an admission of guilt?Big-fish, small-fish is a popular expression which has been blown out of proportion. By big fish, I mean collective responsibility (of the cabinet) and even small fish should be investigated.What do you think of the perception that a lot of the serving IAS officers are corrupt?Just like in any other branch of governance, the IAS is a mixed bag.If the CBI approaches the IAS fraternity seeking help in obtaining information about ministers, will they assist the agency?IAS officers must help CBI with all information they have. The problem here is that it is easy to find fault with a secretary as he it is he who signs a file. But again, there is the primary and collective responsibility of the minister and the cabinet respectively.What is your opinion about B P Acharya and Y Srilakshmi who have been arrested?I don’t know anything about Srilakshmi. I know Acharya, but I will not comment on individuals.What purpose did the IAS officers’ meeting serve?There are two views on this. People outside the fraternity felt that it should not have been held at all. But then, IAS officers have every right to meet and discuss their problems. That’s what a majority of officers felt. The fact that a vast number of officers attended the meeting answers the question.