Section 17A, PC Act 1988: Prior Approval for Probes
Why in the news
Two Supreme Court judges disagreed on whether Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 is valid.
About Section 17A
- Added by the 2018 Amendment Act.
- Police need prior approval before any enquiry or investigation into acts linked to official decisions or recommendations.
| Feature | Provision |
|---|---|
| Authority | Union or State Government, or the authority able to remove the official |
| Exception | Trap cases, red-handed bribe acceptance |
| Timeline | 3 months, plus 1 month with reasons |
Section 19 contrast
Section 19 needs sanction only at the prosecution stage.
Exam angle
- Insertion year: 2018.
- Stage covered: investigation.