History in Brief

  In ancient times, Iran had a vast territory and was one of the major pioneers in setting up administrative systems. Being aware of a necessitating up consistent organization for supervising and inspecting the proper conducting of executive affairs, a public organ of capable and confident people was organized. They were called the eyes and ears of the state.
Their reports made the criterion for removing the grievances, the defective affairs and prosecuting those who had violated the rules and regulations.
In Islam Supervising and inspecting is of a high aspect and special consideration. Imam Ali (As) in his famous command which was addressed to the general governor (wali) of Egypt drew up the principles of how the procedure of the government ought to be and also the way of supervising the proceeds of those working in public sections.
Imam Ali (As) in his command orders:
"Then make thorough investigation concerning the character of your staff, after being sure of their capability and virtue, put them on work, then scrutinize their proceeds, and appoint righteous and virtuous supervisors inspecting their activities. This, thus would be a motive for them to be trustworthy and exerting justice to the people as well".
Precedents based upon historical investigations denote that such blessed tradition in various degrees have been current in almost all the Islamic countries as well as Iran. Before the Islamic Revolution, there have existed in Iran two organizations for inspecting and controlling the public affairs, one for courts, the other for administrative organs. The head of organization was appointed by the king.
After the victory of the glorious Revolution in Feb 1979, supervising the whole administrative system of the country obtained its special place in law. Exponent in the principle no. 174 of the constitutional law of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The principle mentioned above is worded so:
On the basis of the right of supervision by the judiciary on the good conduct of affairs and proper implementation of laws by the administrative departments, an organization known as the state chief Inspectorate shall be established under the supervision of the Head of the Judiciary".
Regarding fulfillment of the aforesaid principle, the due rules for constituting the General Inspection organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran were passed and ratified in 1982 by the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Since then, through the activities of the experienced judges and efficient experts, the organization has been exerting its duties.
It has already had great achievements removing the administrative, executive and judicial inconveniences. As a result, it has been known as an active organization of high significance and dignity.