Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to fight corruption without hesitation against the powerful during the CBI’s diamond jubilee celebration in New Delhi. Modi’s comments followed accusations from opposition parties that the government misused agencies to harass rivals. The CBI has also faced withdrawals of general consent to investigate cases in several Indian states.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to pursue corruption without hesitation, regardless of the status of the suspect. Speaking at the agency’s sixtieth anniversary in Delhi, Modi said the root problem of corruption had undermined development and damaged investor and public confidence in the country. He also praised the CBI’s recent enforcement activity against Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, who have been subject to seizures of assets by the bureau and the Enforcement Directorate. The CBI has been accused by opposition parties of harassing political enemies and nine Indian states have withdrawn general consent to the CBI for investigations in their jurisdictions.