In Brief
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited challenged prosecution of its officers under Section 197 CrPC, which provides protection for public servants. The Supreme Court held that employees of public sector corporations cannot claim 'public servant' status merely because they were previously in Central Civil Services. Once voluntarily absorbed into a corporation, employees lose their public servant status, and their pension entitlements or administrative approval requirements for punitive action do not restore this protection. The Court dismissed the appeal, except for one appellant on deputation, whose status was left to be determined at trial based on evidence.
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