Mumbai: The Maharashtra Government withdraws consent to CBI to probe cases in the state on Wednesday. The Maharashtra Government no entrance in the state without the prior consent of the state or the permission of the higher Judiciary.

A day after CBI responded with speed to a request from UP police and orders from the Centre to take over a TRP scam probe in Lucknow. The Sivasena, NCP and Congress Government’s order represent a clear escalation of tension with the BJP led Government in New Delhi and is based, according to the Maharashtra Public Works Minister Ashok Chavan, on an apprehension as reports by the media. The CBI might seek to wade into the Mumbai police’s investigation of alleged manipulation of viewership ratings by Republic TV and four other channels.

Few State Governments have chosen to exercise the power to withdraw general consent to the CBI to investigate cases within their geographical jurisdiction. Maharashtra is the fourth state; West Bengal, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh are all opposition ruled states. The decision to block the CBI was taken at a meeting presided over by CM Uddhav Thackray and attended by Public Works Minister Ashok Chavan, CS Sanjay Kumar, Principal Advisor to the CM Ajoy Mehta and the CM’s Additional CS Ashish Kumar Singh.