Prior approval not required for private complaints against corruption, says judge

Principal District and Sessions Judge and District Legal Services Authority Chairman N.V. Vijay watering a sapling to inaugurate Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 in Dharwad on Thursday.

Private complaints can be filed against public servants without prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act in view of a Supreme Court ruling, Principal District and Sessions Judge and District Legal Services Authority Chairman N.V. Vijay said on Thursday.

He was speaking after inaugurating Vigilance Awareness Week 2026, organised jointly by the District Legal Services Authority, the district administration, the zilla panchayat, the Police Department and the Karnataka Lokayukta at the zilla panchayat auditorium in Dharwad.

Mr. Vijay said that demanding bribe is a criminal offence and stressed that integrity is essential for the country’s progress.

Participants taking the Integrity Pledge during the inauguration of Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 in Dharwad on Thursday.

Public servants should uphold honesty and work for the country’s development throughout the year rather than limit their commitment to the week-long observance, he said.

Deputy Commissioner Snehal R. said that corruption extends beyond the exchange of money or acceptance of bribe, as it undermines public trust and deprives citizens of dignity and timely access to services.

Making farmers repeatedly visit government offices for documents or forcing elderly people to follow up on pension applications impose an unnecessary burden on them, she said.

Preventing corruption through stronger administrative systems should take priority over action after wrongdoing occurs, she said.

Officials should make greater use of online services to help reduce unnecessary visits to government offices and ensure that applications from the public receive timely responses.

Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya said that integrity is fundamental to public service and called upon government employees to use available resources effectively for public welfare.

Officials should work proactively for people’s development rather than be guided solely by the fear of vigilance action, he said.

Lokayukta Superintendent of Police S.T. Siddalingappa delivered the introductory remarks and administered the integrity pledge.

Senior Civil Judge and DLSA Member-Secretary Allappa M. Badiger, Assistant Commissioner of Police Prashant Siddanagoudar and Zilla Panchayat Planning Director B.S. Rathod were present.