Anti-graft law: After Khemka, Sanjeev Verma booked under PC Act without prior approval

In contravention of the law, the Haryana Police have belatedly invoked provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act in an April 2022 caseregistered against Haryana IAS officer Sanjeev Verma in Panchkula, without seeking prior approval of the state government. Anti-graft law: After Khemka, Sanjeev Verma booked under PC Act without prior approval Initially, Verma was booked under provisions of the Indian Penal Code,and Sections of the PC Act were later inserted. Chief Secy’s communications overlooked Police The July 26 communique pertaining to standard operating procedures for processing cases under Section 17-A of the PC Act issued by the CS said that the issue of obtaining previous approval by a police officer for conducting an enquiry, inquiry or investigation of offences relatable to recommendations made or decision taken by a public servant in discharge of official functions or duties was reconsidered in light of the Supreme Court judgement of November 14, 2019 in a review petition, popularly known as the Rafale case. “After comprehensive consideration the legal mandate of Section 17-A of the PC Act comes out that a police officer is mandated to obtain previous approval of the government for conducting enquiry, inquiry or investigation of offences relatable to recommendations made or decision taken by a public servant in discharge of official functions or duties,” the CS wrote. The August 18 communication conveyed to the director general of police by the CS office was the outcome of a representation given senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka, who was also booked by the Panchkula police under provisions of PC Act on April 26 without taking prior approval, on a complaint by his colleague, Sanjeev Verma, for allegedly making appointment in an illegal manner as managing director of Haryana State Warehousing Corporation.