Madhya Pradesh HC: Police can investigate corruption cases against central government employees

Madhya Pradesh High Court said regular police force or special police establishment has the power to conduct a probe into corruption or bribery cases against central government employees posted within the territory of the state. A bench headed by Chief Justice Hemant Gupta was adjudicating three criminal appeals filed before the larger bench for opinion on a common question & ndash whether in view of Section 3 of Madhya Pradesh Special Police Establishment Act, 1947, the local police has jurisdiction to probe and conduct trial for the offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act,1988. The bench clarified that there is absolutely no provision under the Madhya Pradesh Special Police Establishment Act that makes any exclusion for the central government employees in the matter of conducting probe in corruption or bribery cases. The bench further said under the Section 3 of the MP Special Police Establishment Act 1947, the police have the power to conduct investigation and trial for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The court held: “ The offence of bribery and corruption against the Central Government employees posted in the State of Madhya Pradesh can be investigated by regular police force or Special Police Establishment.”