The Assam Government has empowered the Director, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption to lay trap against corrupt public servants for offences of gratification under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
No prior permissionAn official release issued here on Monday stated that the Director, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption would not have to obtain prior permission from the Government for conducting preliminary or regular enquiry against any corrupt public servants after being arrested through such trappings.
After completion of the enquiry, the Director would obtain prosecution sanction from the Government. The provisions of Cr.P.C. shall be applicable in respect of laying trap and conducting investigations following arrest of the person.
“The order to this effect issued by the Political (Vigilance Cell), Department, Government of Assam, at the directive of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, comes into force with immediate effect,” added the release.
Approving authorityThrough another direction to Chief Secretary Jitesh Khosla, the Chief Minister has delegated the power of approval for all preliminary enquiries by Vigilance and Anti-Corruption division of Assam Police, to the Principal Secretary, Home and Political Department. In case of regular enquiries, the Chief Secretary will be the approving authority for officers below the rank of Secretary, while for officers of the rank of Secretary and above, the approving authority will be the Chief Minister.
