CBI vs NIA
CBI and NIA are two of the Indian Government agencies responsible for the safety and security of India and its people. CBI is Central Bureau of Investigation of India whereas NIA is National Investigation Agency of India. One of the main differences between CBI and NIA is that CBI is an agency of India and it functions as a criminal investigation body, intelligence agency and national security agency, whereas NIA is a new federal agency approved by the government of India to control terrorism.
It is interesting to note that CBI was established in 1963 with a motto, ‘industry, impartiality, integrity’. NIA on the other hand was established quite recently after the Mumbai terror attack in 2008. The need for a central agency to fight terrorism was felt then. The need resulted in the formation of the NIA.
It is important to know that CBI is India’s premier investigating police agency. Since CBI is entrusted with the responsibility of conducting investigation into major crimes in India, its impact is widely felt in the political and economic circles within the country. There are three important divisions when it comes to the investigations conducted by CBI. They are anti corruption division, economic crimes division and special crimes division.
Since the NIA is formed quite recently its functions are being framed presently. As of now, the NIA is entrusted with the responsibility of conducting investigation into terrorist offences. The NIA will take up the responsibility of investigation as and when a new case is presented to them. One of its main features is that no accused if in custody to be released on bail or on own bond. This is the main difference between the NIA and any other intelligence agency for that matter.
Big cases of fraud, cheating, embezzlement and the like relating to companies in which large funds are involved are normally handled by the CBI in addition to several other cases including those wherein the interests of the central government are involved.