UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — HC orders CBI probe into corruption charges linked to Punjab CM’s office

Q1. With reference to the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, under which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) functions, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. For the CBI to take up an offence in a State on its own, both a Central Government notification extending its jurisdiction to that State and the consent of the State government are required.
  2. The offences that the CBI may investigate are decided by its Director, without any need for a notification by the Central Government.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. Both 1 and 2
  • D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Investigating crimes committed within a State is primarily the responsibility of that State's own police, not of a central agency.
  2. 'Police' and 'Public order' are subjects in the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Suppose a State government contends that the CBI has registered cases in its territory after the State withdrew its general consent, and wishes to challenge the Union government's action. In this context, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The State may file an original suit against the Government of India in the High Court that has jurisdiction over that State.
  2. The State may file an original suit against the Government of India directly in the Supreme Court.
  3. Since 'Police' is in the State List, Parliament has no competence to provide for any central police establishment that operates within the States.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q4. Consider the following: Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, inserted in 2018, requires the prior approval of the government or competent authority before a police officer inquires into or investigates an offence alleged against a public servant, where the offence relates to a recommendation made or a decision taken by that public servant in discharging official functions or duties. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. The protection depends on the nature of the act in question, an official recommendation or decision, rather than covering every act of a public servant.
  2. The provision requires prior approval before a police officer can investigate a private individual accused of paying a bribe.
  3. The provision makes it impossible for any agency to investigate corruption in official decisions taken by public servants.
  4. Allegations of corruption in transfer and posting orders issued by public servants could attract the prior-approval requirement.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q5. Consider the following facts: Punjab withdrew its general consent to the CBI in 2020. In October 2026, hearing a public interest litigation, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI to register an FIR on corruption allegations linked to the Chief Minister's office, to proceed forthwith, and to report the outcome of the investigation to the court within two months. The court recorded that it was not impressed by the manner in which the State police had acted. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. The investigation will proceed under the High Court's continuing oversight rather than at the sole discretion of the investigating agency.
  2. Punjab must have restored its general consent to the CBI before the High Court could issue such a direction.
  3. After the order, the State police are legally barred from investigating any corruption case involving State officials.
  4. By handing the probe to the CBI, the court has in effect found the corruption allegations to be proved.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q6. Which one of the following correctly describes the supervisory relationship between the Central Vigilance Commission and the CBI?

  • A. It superintends the CBI only in cases that the Union Home Ministry has formally referred to it.
  • B. It has no supervisory role, as the CBI now answers solely to the Lokpal for all of its cases.
  • C. It superintends every CBI investigation, including cases that States or courts refer to the CBI.
  • D. It superintends the CBI only in investigations of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Q7. A citizen wants to enforce a statutory right, which is not a fundamental right, against a State government authority by seeking a writ. Which one of the following is correct?

  • A. The citizen may move the Supreme Court under Article 32 but not the High Court under Article 226.
  • B. The citizen may move the High Court under Article 226 but not the Supreme Court under Article 32.
  • C. The citizen may move either court, since both articles cover all legal rights in the same way.
  • D. The citizen may move neither court, since writs can issue only to enforce fundamental rights.