Govt gives retired 'babus' law shield

NEW DELHI: Law enforcing agencies may soon have to secure government permission before proceeding against retired babus. The Centre gave the go-ahead on Friday to changes in the Prevention of Corruption Act to make it mandatory for all investigation agencies to seek prior permission before taking action against retired government employees.

The Union cabinet approved the introduction of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2008, science and technology minister Kapil Sibal said. The Bill seeks to protect retired government servants as many of them are prosecuted without sanction, he said.

A lot of government servants are harassed and many have no means to defend themselves after retirement, he added.

“Sanction for prosecution would be required for those retired officials who during their service period had the privilege. At the same time, if prosecution is sanctioned against a retired government servant, his property could be confiscated,” Sibal clarified.
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