It will be a long wait for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to get sanction for prosecution of IAS officers included as the accused in its latest charge-sheet under the Prevention of Corruption Act, if the past experience is any indication.
It is mandatory for the investigating agency to seek prosecution sanction against the IAS officers from the government for the Court to take cognisance of the charge-sheet.
The CBI in its latest charge-sheet included Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao and IAS officers Manmohan Singh and M.Samuel as accused in the charge-sheet pertaining to Vanpic project in the illegal assets case against Y.S.Jaganmohan Reddy. While in the case of Mr. Dharmana, Chief Minister has to give permission as he still continues to be a Minister till his resignation is accepted, the CBI has to seek permission from the Centre for prosecuting the two IAS officers -- Mr.Samuel, who was the secretary, Revenue and Dr. Manmohan Singh, the then secretary, Investment and Infrastructure, when the Vanpic project was sanctioned.
However, the process of seeking prosecution sanction from the Centre under Section 197 Crpc and Prevention of Corruption Act takes its own time with due procedure established as in the case of accused IAS officers B. P. Acharya, Y. Srilakshmi, L. V. Subramanyan and Venkatram Reddy.
First, the State government has to give its recommendation for the cases filed under 197 Crpc. The State government had given sanction for prosecution for IAS officers Acharya and Srilakshmi . However, the Centre is yet to give its sanction for prosecution under the PC Act .
The State rejected prosecution sanction for Mr. L.V.Subramanyam (former Secretary, Industry) in the Emaar Properties case. With regard to Venkatram Reddy (former VUDA Vice-Chairman) , who allegedly gave undue concessions to the Ramky Pharma City project, Paravada under probe in the Jagan’s illegal assets case, the State is yet to take a decision.
Going by the time taken to give prosecution permission in the above cases, it will take at least two months for the file to be sent to the Chief Minister. The Centre would start its process to give prosecution sanction only after it receives State Government’s view under the PC Act.
