Supreme Court Ruling on Investigation of Central Government Employees
The Supreme Court of India has clarified the jurisdiction of state police authorities regarding the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act). This ruling establishes that state police can investigate and file chargesheets against central government employees for bribery and corruption without needing prior permission from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Key Points
- Under the PC Act, both state and central agencies are authorized to investigate bribery and corruption cases against central government employees.
- Section 17 of the PC Act allows state police or special agencies to register and investigate crimes, provided the investigating officer is of a specified rank.
- The need for CBI's involvement is primarily for convenience and to avoid duplication of efforts. CBI handles cases involving central government employees, while state Anti-Corruption Bureaus (ACBs) handle those involving state government employees.
- The Supreme Court's decision was in line with an earlier Rajasthan High Court ruling that upheld the jurisdiction of the Rajasthan ACB to register and investigate a corruption case against a central government employee.
Implications
- This ruling reinforces the authority of state agencies to pursue corruption cases without deferring to the CBI.
- Ensures a more streamlined approach to investigating corruption involving government employees, potentially leading to more efficient processing of such cases.
Case Background
The Supreme Court's decision came in the context of a case where a central government employee was charged with corruption, and the Rajasthan High Court affirmed the Rajasthan ACB's jurisdiction, despite the employee being part of the central government.
