Kerala High Court: Office Bearers of Govt‑Aided Institutions Are ‘Public Servants’ Under PC Act

The Kerala High Court dismissed a petition by M.S. Muraleedharan, President of Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha (Kerala), seeking discharge from a CBI-filed corruption case.

The CBI had accused him of facilitating illegal appointments in exchange for bribes. Upholding the trial court’s order for framing charges, the court clarified that office-bearers of government-aided educational or cultural institutions fall within the definition of “public servant” under Section 2(c)(xii) of the Prevention of Corruption.

The ruling reinforces that such individuals are subject to anti-corruption laws, even if not directly appointed by the government.