need of sanction for prosecution

14. Why there is need of sanction for prosecution? Under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, it is necessary for the prosecuting authority to have the previous sanction of the appropriate administrative authority for launching prosecution against a public servant. The section provides that “No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under Section 7, 10, 11, 13 and 15 alleged to have been committed by a public servant, except with the previous sanction” of the authorities mentioned therein The purpose behind the above provision is ‘to afford a reasonable protection to a public servant, who in the course of strict and impartial discharge of his duties may offend persons and create enemies, from frivolous, malicious or vexations prosecution and to save him from unnecessary harassment or undue hardship which may result from an inadequate appreciation by police authorities of the technicalities of the working of a department’ From the above stated purpose of the need for sanction for prosecution it may be evident that in respect of retired public servants there is no need for any sanction for prosecution Sanction is to be accorded by the authority competent to remove the delinquent from service.