- The Supreme Court ruled that a prior sanction or approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act is not required to investigate police personnel accused of demanding bribes, as taking a bribe cannot be considered an act done in the discharge of official duty. - Section 17A was introduced via the 2018 amendment to protect public servants from malicious or vexatious prosecution for decisions taken in good faith during official duties. - The apex court emphasized that corrupt practices such as bribe-taking fall entirely outside the scope of legitimate official duty, thereby streamlining anti-corruption probes against law enforcement officials. - **Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act:** A key provision under the anti-graft statute requiring prior approval or sanction from the competent authority before conducting any inquiry or investigation into offences alleged to have been committed by public servants while discharging official functions. - **Supreme Court:** The apex court of India, which interpreted anti-corruption laws to clarify that demanding a bribe is a criminal act unconnected to official duties, thus excluding it from statutory protection. **Introduction** The Supreme Court has clarified that prior approval or sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act is not needed to probe police personnel accused of demanding bribes. The Court held that accepting bribes does not constitute an act done in the discharge of official duties, thus preventing misuse of the statutory protection meant for bona fide administrative decisions. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The Supreme Court ruled that a prior sanction or approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act is not required to investigate police personnel accused of demanding bribes, as taking a bribe cannot be considered an act done in the discharge of official duty. - Section 17A was introduced via the 2018 amendment to protect public servants from malicious or vexatious prosecution for decisions taken in good faith during official duties. - The apex court emphasized that corrupt practices such as bribe-taking fall entirely outside the scope of legitimate official duty, thereby streamlining anti-corruption probes against law enforcement officials. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act:** A key provision under the anti-graft statute requiring prior approval or sanction from the competent authority before conducting any inquiry or investigation into offences alleged to have been committed by public servants while discharging official functions. - **Supreme Court:** The apex court of India, which interpreted anti-corruption laws to clarify that demanding a bribe is a criminal act unconnected to official duties, thus excluding it from statutory protection.