Section 17A of the PC Act requires prior approval

Solution

Section 17A, inserted by the 2018 amendment, mandates prior approval before conducting any enquiry or investigation into decisions or recommendations made by a public servant while discharging official functions. The provision was introduced to protect policy decisions and administrative discretion from retrospective criminal scrutiny. It does not apply to arrest, filing of charge-sheet, or trap proceedings, nor does it cover disproportionate assets cases. Hence, its scope is limited strictly to investigation of official decision-making.