In Brief
Two government officials (a Tehsildar and an Assistant Commissioner) were accused of abusing their office to aid a Cabinet Minister in obtaining a fraudulent land conversion order. By the time cognizance was taken, both had been transferred to different posts. The Supreme Court held that although sanction under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act is mandatory before investigating a public servant, no sanction was required here because the officials were not holding the same offices they allegedly abused at the time cognizance was taken. The Court dismissed the appeals, confirming that sanction requirements are post and time-specific.
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