By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, APR 02, 2025: ASHWINI Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, addressed the 21st D.P. Kohli Memorial Lecture on CBI's 62nd Foundation Day held today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Speaking on the theme 'VIKSIT BHARAT @ 2047 - A Roadmap for CBI', the Minister outlined a strategic vision for the agency's role in India's progress over the next two decades. During the event, President's Police Medals (PPM) for Distinguished Service and Police Medals (PM) for Meritorious Service to CBI officers were presented acknowledging their dedication and exceptional contributions.

In his address, Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw elaborated the important role played by CBI over the years in bringing out truth through in depth & professional investigation and in bringing criminals to justice through effective prosecution. He further said "Our academia, our scientists, our researchers today possess remarkable strength and capabilities. This strength must be harnessed by investigating agencies, law officers, and government departments to co-develop technological solutions. Law alone will not be sufficient, we need techno-legal approach to address the challenges posed by new-age crimes and investigation," the Minister emphasized.

Union Minister urged the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take the lead in building state-of-the-art cyber forensic laboratories by actively partnering with academic and research institutions. He further highlighted the need for institutional frameworks that facilitate such collaborations and suggested that Ministries and Departments such as MeitY, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and Department of Science and Technology (DST) work closely with investigative agencies to co-create technologies required for modern-day law enforcement.

The Minister's remarks come in the backdrop of rapid technological evolution, including challenges posed by artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and cyber-enabled crimes. He stressed that the future of effective criminal justice lies in combining legal frameworks with technological capability and institutional innovation.

Reflecting on India's transformative journey over the past decade, the Minister noted the country's rapid economic growth, strong governance, and technological leadership. He further highlighted four pillars of growth strategy in the last decade, first, public investment in physical, social and digital infrastructure, second a large number of inclusive growth programs, third a strong focus on manufacturing and innovation and fourth, simplification of legal and compliance structures.

First Pillar: Public Investment In Physical, Social and Digital infrastructure

The first pillar of India's growth strategy focuses on significant investments in social, physical and digital infrastructure, including the construction of national highways, new airports, and the electrification of railways. The Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has democratized technology with over 118 crore telecom subscribers, 70 crore smartphone users, and a robust AI ecosystem to support innovation. In social infrastructure, India has also expanded educational opportunities by opening 490 new universities and increasing the capacity of IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS.

Second Pillar: Inclusive Growth

The second pillar of India's growth strategy focuses on inclusive growth, ensuring that economic progress translates into real improvements in people's lives. Over the past decade, 54 crore new bank accounts have been opened, 4 crore houses built, and 12 crore tap water connections provided. In addition, 35 crore citizens are part of the Ayushman Bharat program, with more than 25 crore citizens coming out of poverty and improved access to essential services for millions.

Third Pillar: Strong Focus on Manufacturing and Innovation

The third pillar of India's growth strategy emphasizes manufacturing and innovation, shifting the country from a services-based economy to a manufacturing hub. Initiatives like Make in India and Startup India have spurred growth, with electronics becoming the third-largest export and India becoming the second-largest mobile manufacturer globally. Key successes include developments in the semiconductor, defense, telecom sector, and the launch of high-speed Vande Bharat trains.

Fourth Pillar: Simplification of legal and compliance structures

The fourth pillar of India's growth strategy focuses on simplification by eliminating outdated colonial-era laws. Over 1,500 archaic laws have been removed, and new frameworks like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have replaced old legal structures such as the IPC and CrPC. This simplification process is paving the way for a more modern and efficient legal system.

CBI Director, Praveen Sood welcomed the guests on the occasion. Attorney General of India, Central Vigilance Commissioner, Director IB, Director ED, Heads of NIA & Central Paramilitary Forces graced the occasion. Police Liaison Officers (PLOs) of other countries, also attended the event.

Following officers & officials of CBI were presented the medals by the Honb'le Minister for Distinguished and Meritorious Service: 

(i) President's Police Medals (PPM) for Distinguished Service were presented to :

1. K. Pradeep Kumar, SP, CBI, ACB, Jammu;

2. Naresh Kumar Sharma, ASP, CBI, Special Unit, New Delhi;

3. Mukesh Kumar, ASP, CBI, AC-II, New Delhi;

4. Ramji Lal Jat, Head Constable, CBI, ACB, Jaipur (Now Retired) and

5. Raj Kumar, Head Constable, CBI, Head Office, New Delhi

(ii) Police Medals (PM) for Meritorious Service were presented to:

1. Raghavendra Vatsa, IPS (GJ:05), then DIG-HoB, CBI, ACB, New Delhi  (presently in the cadre as IGP, Gujarat Police);

2. Sharada Pandurang Raut, IPS (MH:05) then DIG- HoB, CBI, EOB, Mumbai (presently in the cadre as Jt. Commissioner, S.I.D., Maharashtra  Mumbai);

3. Prem Kumar Gautam, IPS (UP:05), then DIG - HoB, CBI, SU, New Delhi (presently in the cadre as IGP, Prayagraj Range, Uttar Pradesh);

4. Manoj Chaladan, DLA, CBI, ACB, Mumbai;

5. Srinivas Pillari, Principal System Analyst, CBI, ACB, Kolkata (Now posted at Systems Division, Delhi Branch);

6. K. Madhusudhanan, DSP, CBI, ACB, Visakhapatnam;

7. Ajay Kumar, DSP (Now ASP) CBI, Policy Division, New Delhi;

8. Balwinder Singh, Inspector, CBI, SCB, Chandigarh;

9. Chitti Babu N., Inspector, CBI, ACB, Hyderabad;

10. Manoj Kumar, Inspector, CBI, HO, New Delhi (presently in his parent force & posted at CISF, CGBS Unit Mahipalpur, New Delhi);

11. Rahul Kumar, Inspector, CBI, EOB, Kolkata (presently in his force & posted at CISF Unit SMP, Kolkata);

12. Rajeev Sharma, Inspector, CBI,HO, New Delhi;

13. S. Nanda Kumar, Assistant Sub Inspector, CBI, SU, Chennai;

14. Suresh Prasad Shukla, Head Constable, CBI, ACB, Jabalpur  (now posted at CBI, BSFB Mumbai);

15. Rajesh Kumar, Head Constable, CBI, HO, New Delhi;

16. Om Prakash Daloutra, Head Constable, CBI, ACB, Jammu;

17. Randhir Singh, Head Constable, CBI, ACB, Jaipur;

18. Pawan Kumar, Constable, CBI, SC-I, NewDelhi;

19. Tejpal Singh, Constable, CBI, Policy Division, New Delhi;

20. Atul Sareen, Crime Assistant, CBI, Policy Division, New Delhi and

21. Subra Mohanty, Steno Gr.-II, CBI, ACB, Bhubaneswar

About the event

CBI pays its respect and homage to its founder Director late Dharamnath Prasad Kohli and has been organizing the D.P. Kohli Memorial Lecture since the year 2000.

Dharamnath Prasad Kohli was born in 1907 in Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. After joining Police Service in 1931, he served in UP, erstwhile Madhya Bharat and the Government of India. He had distinguished career in the Indian Police. He headed Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) from July 1955 to March 1963. On creation of Central Bureau of Investigation, on 1st April, 1963, D.P. Kohli became its founder Director and continued as its Director from 1963 till his retirement on May 31, 1968.

The lecture series has been honoured to feature highly distinguished speakers and luminaries from various fields who share their insights and experience on pertinent topics. The lecture series is intended to contribute to fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge, and advancing the understanding of challenges and solutions in the realm of law enforcement, criminal justice system and criminal investigation. The D.P. Kohli Memorial Lecture serves as an apt tribute to D.P. Kohli's vision and legacy in establishing the CBI as a premier investigating and prosecuting agency. It also underscores the agency's commitment to upholding integrity, accountability, and excellence in its operations as enned in CBI's motto Industry, Impartiality and Integrity.

The Central Bureau of Investigation was established by a Government of India resolution dated 1st April, 1963 to investigate not only cases of bribery and corruption, but also violation of central fiscal laws, serious crimes besides collecting supporting intelligence. Over the last more than six decades, the Central Bureau of Investigation has emerged as a premier investigating and prosecuting agency of the country covering entire gamut of crimes including emerging new age crimes like cyber enabled financial crimes, online CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material), etc. CBI as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India also coordinates international cooperation in law enforcement.