Sanction must for prosecuting retired govt officials: Cabinet

New Delhi, Aug 8 (UNI) At a time when the CBI is demanding scrapping of the sanction provision to enable it to prosecute government officials on corruption charges, the Cabinet today made filing of charges against even retired officials more difficult by extending the provision to them also.

The Cabinet approved introduction of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2008 in Parliament for making changes in the 1988 Act, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters.

The move is aimed at checking harassment of retired government officials at a time when they do not have the means to defend themselves, the Minister said.

Further, retired officials are sought to be prosecuted for alleged corruption during their services and as such the protection provision available to servicing officials should be extended to retired officials as well, he explained.

At the same time, once the sanction is given to proceed against a retired official, the prosecuting agency would be able to have the properties of the officials concerned attached, he said.

The measures would help prevent filing of frivolous complaints against retired officials and provide a deterrent provision in the form of attachment of property of such people, Mr Sibal explained.

At present, government sanction is necessary for prosecuting officials of the rank of Joint Secretary and above on corruption charges and this is being sought to be extended to retired officials who demitted office when then they were holding similar positions.

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