Rajasthan imposes restrictions on investigation of public servants
Rajasthan has placed stringent restrictions on investigating and reporting allegations against present and former public servants. Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria is certain the law will help since people often level false allegations, he said. "Even if it's a baseless allegation, the harm would be done. Therefore, we have put some restrictions." But Congress' Sachin Pilot called it a shocking attempt to "institutionalize corruption".
Under new law, violators can be imprisoned for two years
On September 7, Rajasthan passed an ordinance prohibiting courts from acting on complaints against public servants till the government has approved it, for which it will get six months. If it doesn't respond within that time, sanction will be assumed. Moreover, journalists cannot reveal the identity of such officials till the government has vetted the case. Violators can be imprisoned for two years.
Unclear if police can still register complaints against public servants
The new law will apply only in complaints where it relates to the official's work. It isn't clear if it will impact police's authority to register cases against public servants. Earlier, people could approach courts to seek a probe if cops refused to file a case. The Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 will be voted on in the state assembly on October 23.
Congress threatens protests over the issue
Kataria insists action will be taken "if the claims can be verified after a limited period of 180 days". But Pilot claims, "They are trying to safeguard the interests of the corrupt. You can't report an alleged scam unless you get the government's nod."
Similar attempts made in the history of Indian law
The amendment is similar to restrictions proposed in the Prevention of Corruption Act pending in the Rajya Sabha. In 2013, the UPA government had moved similar changes to the anti-corruption law. However, in 2012, the SC had upheld the right of citizens to set the anti-bribery law in motion. Citizens' right to file a complaint "should not be burdened with unreasonable fetters", it noted.
