Bribe givers to get 7 years jail

New law on prevention of corruption gets Prez nod To protect persons who give bribe under coercion, the Act has provided that “the person so compelled” would have to report the matter to the law enforcement authority within seven days.

New Delhi, July 31: Bribe givers can now be punished with a jail term of maximum of seven years under a new anticorruption law that has got assent from President Ram Nath Kovind.

Besides, public servants — politicians, bureaucrats and bankers among others — have also been given a “shield” from prosecution in the legislation that makes it mandatory for investigating agencies such as the CBI to take prior approval from a competent authority before conducting any enquiry against them.

The president gave approval to the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 1988, recently, an official order said.

The Central government has decided July 26, 2018, as the date on which the provisions of the Act shall come into force, it said.

“No police officer shall conduct any enquiry or investigation into any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant under this Act, where the alleged offence is relatable to any recommendation made or decision taken by such public servant in discharge of his official functions or duties, without the previous approval,” the order said.

Bribe givers were not covered in any of the domestic legislations to check corruption. For bribe takers, the amended law has increased the punishment to a minimum of three years of imprisonment, which may extend to seven years, besides fine.

However, to protect persons who give bribe under coercion, the Act has provided that “the person so compelled” would have to report the matter to the law enforcement authority or investigative agency within seven days.