No Sanction Needed to Prosecute Private Person: ED Opposes M3M Director's Plea in Judge Bribery Case

The Enforcement Directorate has opposed M3M Director Roop Bansal’s plea filed in the Punjab & Haryana High Court to quash an FIR accusing him of conspiring to bribe a trial court judge.

Bansal claimed the FIR was invalid without prior sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which protects public servants.

However, the ED argued that the protection doesn’t apply to private individuals like Bansal, who can be prosecuted under IPC Section 120-B and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court agreed he lacked locus standi on this ground and listed the matter for final hearing on July 30. (Roop Bansal v State Of Haryana And Ors)