Supreme Court Delivers Split Verdict on Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act

The Supreme Court of India delivered a split verdict on the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, which mandates prior approval before investigating public servants for official acts. Justice BV Nagarathna ruled the provision unconstitutional, stating it protects corrupt officials and hinders anti-corruption efforts. Conversely, Justice KV Viswanathan upheld its validity, emphasizing the need to protect honest officers from frivolous probes and proposing that sanction decisions rest with independent bodies like the Lokpal or Lokayukta. The matter is now referred to the Chief Justice of India for a larger bench to decide.