Library
Tax & Regulatory

Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988

1988 · Ministry of Personnel · 31 sections

Penalises bribery of and by public servants (recast by the 2018 amendment), criminal misconduct, and requires prior sanction for prosecution and prior approval for inquiry.

Most-invoked sections
PC Act · 7

Offence relating to public servant being bribed

A public servant who obtains, accepts or attempts to obtain an undue advantage with intent to perform a public duty improperly or dishonestly is punishable with three to seven years and fine.

PC Act · 8

Offence relating to bribing of a public servant

Any person who gives or promises an undue advantage to induce or reward improper performance of a public duty is punishable with up to seven years; a coerced giver who reports within seven days is protected.

PC Act · 13

Criminal misconduct by a public servant

Dishonest or fraudulent misappropriation of entrusted property, or intentional illicit enrichment (possession of pecuniary resources disproportionate to known sources of income).

PC Act · 17A

Previous approval for inquiry or investigation

No police officer shall conduct any enquiry or investigation into an offence alleged to be committed by a public servant in discharge of official functions without prior approval of the competent authority.

PC Act · 19

Previous sanction necessary for prosecution

No court shall take cognizance of offences under ss. 7, 11, 13 and 15 against a public servant except with the previous sanction of the appropriate government or authority.

The text shown is a working summary used inside Nyaya for grounding and UI preview. For verbatim reproduction, refer to the bare Act published on indiacode.nic.in.