Beware law breakers! Modi govt approves penalty for bribery to maximum 7 years
New Delhi, April 29: The government on Wednesday approved enhancing the minimum punishment for taking or giving bribes from six months to three years and the maximum punishment from five years to seven years.
At a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the cabinet gave its approval to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 by pursuing the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013, pending before the Rajya Sabha.
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The amendments enhance penal provisions from minimum six months to three years and from maximum five years to seven years (The seven-year imprisonment brings corruption to the heinous crime category).
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To check the pecuniary gains from corruption, the powers of attachment are proposed to be conferred upon the trial court instead of the district court.
Expanding the ambit of the provision for containing inducement of public servant from individuals to commercial entities is being added to contain supply side of corruption, the release said.
Intentional enrichment by public servants will be construed as criminal misconduct and possession of disproportionate assets as proof of such illegitimate gains.
IANS