Cabinet approves changes in anti-graft law

The union cabinet Wednesday approved amendments in key laws to protect honest officials from frivolous charges and for laying down criteria for sanction of their prosecution, sources said.

The cabinet approved amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946 under which the Central Bureau of Investigation was formed. A bill to this effect will be introduced in parliament, said the sources.

The proposed changes in the laws are aimed at providing clear definition of different forms of bribery, protecting the honest officials from frivolous charges and laying down criteria for sanction of their prosecution.

The changes also provide for liability of a commercial entity for failure to prevent bribery of a public servant.

The sources added that the proposed changes in the section 6 (a) of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act is aimed at protecting public servants at policy making levels from frivolous and vexatious investigations.

The proposed changes would fill in the perceived gaps in the domestic anti-corruption law and also help in meeting the country's obligations under the united nations convention against bribery more effectively, they said.