Supreme Court Split Verdict on Prior Sanction for Probing Public Servants

The Supreme Court has delivered a split verdict on Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which requires prior sanction before investigating public servants for corruption related to their official duties. Justice B.V. Nagarathna deemed the provision unconstitutional, arguing it protects the corrupt. Justice K.V. Viswanathan upheld its validity but stipulated that sanction decisions should be made by independent bodies like the Lokpal or Lokayukta. Due to the disagreement, the case has been referred to the Chief Justice of India for a larger bench to decide.