81 FAQs on updates – PC Act, 1988, CVC, SFIO, ED, CBI, DRI and NIA

Chapter I – Updates on the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988

 1. What are updates on the PC Act, 1988?

•  The most significant recent developments under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (“PC Act”) in India are centred around Section 17A, judicial scrutiny of investigation safeguards, expansion of liability for private persons, and stricter evidentiary analysis by courts.

• Supreme Court Split Verdict on Section 17A — Biggest Development 

•  The Supreme Court delivered a major split verdict in January 2026 regarding the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the PC Act 1988.

 2. What is Section 17A in PC Act, 1988?

• Section 17A as inserted by the 2018 Amendment, requires prior approval /sanction from the Government before any enquiry, inquiry, or investigation can begin against a public servant for actions taken during official duties.

 3. What are divergent views of Supreme Court Judge B.V. Nagarathna – Sec. 17A?

• Justice B.V. Nagarathna held that Section 17A may violate Article 14 because it gives special protection to a class of public servants.

4. What are divergent views of Supreme Court Judge K.V. Viswanathan – Sec. 17A?

•  Justice K.V. Viswanathan held that Section 17A, observing that honest officers need protection from frivolous or politically motivated investigations.

 5. What is present status of Supreme Court Judgement – Sec. 17A?

• Since the Bench delivered a split verdict, the matter has now been referred to a larger Bench of the Supreme Court for final adjudication.

 6. Why Supreme Court’s final Judgement is important – Sec. 17A?

•  This issue directly affecting the followings:

 i. CBI investigations

ii. ED-linked corruption predicates

iii. Vigilance enquiries

iv. Sanction jurisprudence

v. Protection available to bureaucrats and ministers

• Delhi High Court Clarifies on Section 17A is Prospective •

 7. What is the Delhi High Court’s views – Sec. 17A?

•  In a recent matter connected with alleged older corruption offences, the Delhi High Court held that:

 i. Section 17A applies prospectively

 ii. Cannot invalidate investigations for offences committed “before” July 26, 2018.

 8. What is the Delhi High Court’s views practical impact – Sec. 17A?

•  This is highly relevant in:

 i. Legacy CBI corruption matters

ii. Railway recruitment cases

iii. Land allotment matters

iv. Disproportionate asset investigations

v. Old vigilance cases

•  The Delhi High Court clarified that absence of Section 17A approval does “not” automatically invalidate earlier investigations.

• Courts Tightening Standards for Bribery Convictions •

 9. What are judicial trends for bribery convictions?

i. Proof of demand

ii. Proof of acceptance

 iii. Reliable recovery evidence.

10. What are judicial trends for refusing mechanical convictions?

• Courts are increasingly refusing mechanical convictions merely because recovery occurred.

 11. What is Supreme Court’s judicial trends?

i. Presumption under Section 20 cannot be casually invoked

ii. Prosecution must establish foundational facts carefully.

 12. What is Court important trends?

i. Trap cases

ii. ACB prosecutions

iii. Departmental corruption matters

• Liability of Private Persons Expanded •

 13. What is Supreme Court’s decision to include associates / relatives?

•  Now Supreme Court has observed in the case of P. Shanthi that even family members assisting in holding disproportionate assets may face prosecution for abetment under Section 12 of the PC Act 1988 like:

 i. Private individuals

ii. Relatives

iii. Consultants

iv. Intermediaries

v. Beneficiaries

 14. What are areas where associates / relatives are to be included?

 i. Benami asset structures

ii. Shell company arrangements

iii. Public procurement matters

• Increasing Debate: “Protection vs Accountability” •

 15. What is ongoing major constitutional debate?

 i. Whether Section 17A protects honest decision-making?

ii. Whether it creates a shield against anti-corruption investigations?

16. What are the major concerns on protection vs accountability?

 i. Protection of honest officers is required to prevents policy paralysis

 ii. Effective anti-corruption enforcement is required to avoids executive control over investigations

•  Continued active enforcement by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)/CBI • 

17. What is enforcement by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)/CBI?

 i. Multiple trap cases

ii. Chargesheets filed under Sections 7 and 12 of PC Act, 1988

iii. Prosecution sanctions being actively granted

iv. Increased ACB actions across states

• Key Provisions Currently Most Litigated •

18. What are most litigated key provisions?

•  The following provisions are presently seeing the maximum litigation:

 i. Public servant taking undue advantage under section 7 of PC Act, 1988

ii. Bribe giving under section 8 of PC Act, 1988

iii. Abetment under section 12 of PC Act, 1988

iv. Criminal misconduct under section 13 of PC Act, 1988

v. Prior approval before investigation under section 17A of PC Act, 1988

vi. Sanction for prosecution under section 19 of PC Act, 1988

vii. Presumption for gratification under section 20 of PC Act, 1988

• Overall Trend in 2026 •

 19. What are overall legal trends in 2026?

 i. Stronger judicial scrutiny of corruption investigations

ii. Increased procedural safeguards for public servants

iii. Expansion of liability for facilitators and private parties

 20. What are expectations from Supreme court’s final ruling – Sec. 17A?

• The final Supreme Court ruling on Section 17A is expected to become one of the most important anti–corruption law judgments in recent years.

 21. What are the best mediums for knowing official PC Act’s updates?

• You can track ongoing notifications, investigations, vacancies and summons on the official PC Act portal:

i. For Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988

www.indiacode.nic.in

ii. For Legislative Department (PC) Act, 1988

www.legislative.gov.in

iii. For Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)

www.dopt.gov.in

iv. For Section-wise searchable version

www.incometaxindia.gov.in

Chapter II – Updates on the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

 22. What are updates on the CVC?

• The latest developments relating to the CVC mainly concern “new” appointments, tighter vigilance-clearance norms, banking fraud oversight, and increasing coordination with agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED).

 23. What is name of Vigilance Commissioner?

• One of the biggest recent institutional developments is the appointment of Praveen Vashista as Vigilance Commissioner in January 2026. He is a 1991-batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre and has earlier served in CBI and economic offences investigations.  The oath ceremony was attended by senior officials from:

 i. DoPT

ii. CBI

iii. ED

•   With this appointment, the Commission is functioning at near full institutional strength.

• CVC Tightens Vigilance Clearance Procedures •

 24. What is revised vigilance-clearance proforma?

•   A very important recent administrative development is the revised vigilance-clearance proforma issued through Circular No. 01/03/2026.

 25. What are the changes made via revised vigilance-clearance proforma?

•   The revised format now requires:

 i. Detailed posting history for the last 10 years

ii. Information for CVO assignments

iii. Suspension status

iv. Vigilance history

v. Doubtful integrity records

vi. Pending disciplinary/criminal proceedings

vii. Complaint details

 26. What are practical impacts via revised vigilance-clearance proforma?

 i. Empanelment of IAS/IPS/IRS officers

ii. PSU appointments

iii. Deputation clearances

iv. Board–level appointments

v. Vigilance vetting

• The move is seen as an attempt to bring greater transparency and uniformity in vigilance assessments.

• CVC Expands Monitoring of Banking Fraud Cases •

 27. What are CVC’s scopes of scrutiny for bank frauds?

 i. Recent reports indicate that the CVC has expanded the scope of scrutiny for bank fraud

ii. Now fraud around INR 3 crore in many categories in PSBs are to be referred to expert panels for determining whether CBI investigation is necessary. It was earlier above INR 50 crore in PSBs

 28. What are matters for recent developments?

 i. PSU bankers

ii. Forensic auditors

iii. ED predicate investigations

iv. Wilful default matters

v. Large consortium lending cases

 29. What are objectives for recent developments?

 i. Balancing fear-free banking decisions

ii. Ensuring accountability in fraud-sensitive sectors

• Increased Focus on Rotation in Vigilance Departments •

 30. What are significances for rotation in vigilance departments?

• The CVC has reiterated concerns regarding prolonged stay of officials in vigilance wings.  According to recent observations:

 i. Long tenure in vigilance posts may create vested interests

ii. Increase allegations of bias

iii. Reduce institutional objectivity

 31. What are objects for rotation in vigilance departments?

 i. More frequent transfers

ii. Stricter tenure policies

iii. Stronger preventive vigilance systems

• Rising Coordination Between CVC, CBI & State Vigilance Agencies •

 32. What are rising coordination Between CVC, CBI and State Vigilance Agencies?

 i. Recent corruption-related developments in Punjab Vigilance Bureau have again brought focus on institutional vigilance mechanisms.

 ii. The CBI recently busted an alleged bribery network linked with Punjab Vigilance Bureau officials and intermediaries.

 33. What are emerging trends?

•   Authorities are increasingly examining:

 i. Corruption inside anti-corruption bodies

ii. Middlemen networks

iii. Complaint settlement rackets

iv. Abuse of vigilance processes

 34. What are increasing scrutiny?

 i. Vigilance administration

ii. Internal integrity systems

iii. Supervisory accountability

 •  Stronger Emphasis on Preventive Vigilance & Technology •

 35. What is CVC’s continuing push?

 i. E-procurement monitoring

ii. Integrity frameworks

iii. Whistle blower mechanisms

iv. Digital vigilance systems

v. Preventive vigilance models

 36. What is CVC’s increasing emphasizing?

 i. Systemic corrections

ii. Risk mapping

iii. Corruption prevention rather than only punitive action

• Important Areas Currently Under CVC Focus •

 37. What are important areas currently under CVC focus?

 i. Expanded scrutiny for banking frauds

ii. Stricter disclosures for Vigilance clearance

iii. Higher accountability for PSU vigilance

iv. Preventive vigilance for Procurement

v. Detailed vetting for Senior officer empanelment

vi. Increasing coordination for CBI / ED

vii. Greater monitoring for Internal vigilance integrity

• Present Composition of the CVC •

 38. What is present CVC’s composition?

•  The current important office bearers include:

 i. Praveen Kumar Srivastava

ii. S. Rajeev

iii. Praveen Vashista

 39. What are the best mediums for knowing official CVC’s updates?

•   You can track ongoing notifications, investigations, vacancies and summons on the official CVC portal: www.cvc.gov.in

Chapter III – Updates on the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO)

 40. What are alleged INR 2000 crore irregularities in derivates at IndusInd Bank?

 i. SFIO has reportedly intensified its investigation into alleged irregularities at IndusInd Bank involving INR 2,000 crore in derivatives transactions.

ii. Multiple audit firms associated with the bank over the past decade have reportedly been summoned as part of the probe.

 41. What are recruitment and expansion activities in 2026?

 i. SFIO issued notifications for engagement of consultants and young professionals in law, forensic audit, finance and administration domains.

 ii. 69 contractual positions for Young Professionals and Junior Consultants have been advertised with applications open till June 03, 2026.

 iii. Additional deputation-based recruitment drives for 38–45 senior and mid-level posts have also been initiated during 2026.

 42. What are the focus areas in employees’ hiring?

The recent recruitment notices indicate SFIO is strengthening expertise in:

 (i) Corporate law                  (ii) Financial analysis          (iii) Digital forensics

(iv) Forensic audit                (v) Investigation                   (vi) prosecution functions

 43. What are the administrative and structural updates?

•   SFIO has also published internal governance updates, including constitution of a committee to oversee human-rights-related concerns and grievance redressal mechanisms.

 44. What is govt.’s supports to modernise SFIO?

•  The govt. has continued efforts to modernise SFIO through integration of experts from agencies such as CBI, ED and NIA for sophisticated corporate fraud probes

 45. What are the best mediums for knowing official SFIO’s updates?

•  You can track ongoing notifications, investigations, vacancies and summons on the official SFIO portal: www.sfio.gov.in

Chapter IV – Updates on the Enforcement Directorate (ED)

 46. What is arrested AAP leader Deepak Singla?

 i. ED arrested AAP leader Deepak Singla “after” conducting raids in Delhi and Goa.

 ii. The matter has triggered political controversy, with allegations regarding access to party organisational data.

 47. What is attached assets approx. INR 700 crore of Iqbal Mirchi?

 i. ED has attached assets worth about INR 700 crore linked to late gangster Iqbal Mirchi and his family under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA) 2018.

 ii. Attached properties include prime Worli properties in Mumbai and assets in Dubai.

 48. What is sought sanction to prosecute Senthil Balaji?

• ED has sought sanction to prosecute former Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji in the alleged cash-for-job scam case.

 49. What is govt.’s sanction to prosecute Sandip Ghosh?

• The West Bengal govt. has reportedly granted sanction to ED to prosecute former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh in an alleged corruption-related matter.

 50. What is annual report for year ending March 31, 2026?

 i. ED’s FY 2025-26 annual report shows record attachment of assets worth approx. INR 81,422 crore under PMLA 2002 and related laws.

 ii. The ED has increased international cooperation in financial crime investigations.

 51. What is increasingly focusing on cyber fraud and digital financial crimes?

 i. ED is increasingly focusing on cyber fraud and digital financial crimes.

ii. Government data indicates approx. 257 cybercrime–related money laundering investigations involving proceeds of crime approx. INR 36,000 crore.

 52. What is arrested DCP Santanu Sinha Biswas?

•  In Kolkata, ED arrested a senior police officer, DCP Santanu Sinha Biswas, in connection with an alleged money laundering and extortion-linked case.

 53. What is conducted large-scale action against online gaming?

• ED recently conducted large-scale action against online gaming and fintech-linked operations, including searches linked to Games kraft Technologies and the Rummy culture app investigation.

54. What is prosecution complaints connected with Bengaluru-linked accused?

• ED recently filed prosecution complaints in a large gold smuggling and money laundering matter connected with Bengaluru–linked accused persons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002.

 55. What is expanding inter-agency information sharing?

•   ED continues expanding inter-agency information sharing under PMLA with agencies such as SFIO, NIA and others for economic crime coordination.

 56. What are the best mediums for knowing official ED’s updates?

• You can track ongoing notifications, investigations, vacancies and summons on the official ED portal: www.enforcementdirectorate.in

Chapter V – Updates on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

 57. What is nationwide investigation into NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case?

 i. The biggest current focus of CBI is the nationwide investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.

 ii. Multiple arrests have been made across Maharashtra, Bihar, and other states, including coaching operators, intermediaries, and educators.

 58. What is Pune-based alleged mastermind in NEET leak?

 i. CBI has reportedly identified a Pune-based chemistry professor as one of the alleged masterminds behind the NEET leak network.

 ii. The CBI is probing possible involvement of insiders connected with the examination process.

 59. What is Nagpur and Chandrapur based fresh raids conducted?

i.  Fresh raids were conducted by CBI in Nagpur and Chandrapur against students and suspected beneficiaries linked to the leaked NEET papers.

 ii. Digital devices and documents were seized for forensic analysis.

 60. What is arrested an Army Ordnance Corps Colonel?

• In a major anti-corruption action, CBI arrested an Army Ordnance Corps Colonel in an alleged INR 50 lakh bribery case involving defence procurement and tender manipulation.

 61. What is Calcutta High Court’s directions in RG Kar Medical College?

 i. The RG Kar Medical College case investigation continues to remain under judicial scrutiny.

 ii. The Calcutta High Court has directed CBI to produce all investigation records, including audio, video, and documentary evidence.

 62. What is arrest in Chandranath Rath’s murder case?

•  CBI also arrested the 5^th accused in the murder case of Chandranath Rath, aide to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

 63. What are intensified actions?

 i. Digital arrest and cyber fraud syndicates

ii. Builder–bank nexus frauds

iii. International cyber slavery and illegal call centre operations

iv. Bank fraud and bribery cases

v. Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEO) through Interpol coordination

 64. What is AI-based public verification platform called “ABHAY”?

•  CBI has also launched an AI-based public verification platform called “ABHAY” to help citizens verify fake CBI notices and prevent digital arrest frauds.

 65. What are the best mediums for knowing official CBI’s updates?

• You can track ongoing notifications, investigations, vacancies and summons on the official CBI portal: www.cbi.gov.in

Chapter VI – Updates on the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

 66. What is DRI?

 i. The DRI is India’s apex anti–smuggling intelligence and investigation agency under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance.

 ii. DRI handles cases relating to narcotics, gold smuggling, customs fraud, trade–based money laundering and economic offences.

 67. What is seized cocaine approx. INR 13 crore?

 i. DRI recently seized cocaine approx. INR 13 crore in 2 separate cases linked to passengers arriving from Addis Ababa.

 ii. 2 individuals were arrested in the case.

 68. What is misdeclaration approx. INR 139 crore?

 i. At Nhava Sheva Port near Mumbai, DRI uncovered a major misdeclaration and smuggling racket involving 132 containers.

 ii. Goods INR 139 crore were seized.

 69. What is gold smuggling approx. INR 14 crore?

 i. DRI busted a gold smuggling and illegal gold-melting network operating across Delhi and Kolkata. Gold, silver and cash worth more than INR 14 crore were recovered

 ii. 6 individuals were arrested in the case.

 70. What is gold smuggling syndicate approx. 40 crore?

 i. Another major trans-border gold smuggling syndicate linked to Dubai and Bangladesh was busted earlier this year.

 ii. Gold in cash INR 40 crore were seized

 71. What is gold smuggling syndicate approx. 9 crore?

 i. In Mumbai, DRI dismantled a gold smuggling syndicate and seized contraband and cash

 ii. Gold and cash INR 9 crore were seized

 72. What is crystal methamphetamine seizure approx. 2 KG?

•  DRI also seized approx. 2 kg of crystal methamphetamine from a passenger arriving from Muscat at Kozhikode airport.

 73. What is annual report for year ending March 31, 2025?

•  DRI’s “Smuggling in India Report 2024-25” highlighted increasing use of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins for illegal payments in drug and gold smuggling networks.

 74. What is CBI booked 2 former DRI officers?

•  CBI recently booked 2 former DRI officers in an alleged INR 50 lakh bribery case connected to a businessman under investigation.

 75. What are the recent major seizures?

 i. Busting a clandestine mephedrone manufacturing unit in Maharashtra.

ii. Seizure of hydroponic weed at Delhi and Kochi airports.

iii. Detection of misuse of import licences and diversion of imported PVC resin.

iv. Seizure of smuggled cigarettes and codeine-based cough syrup consignments.

 76. What are the recent major actions?

 i. Gold smuggling syndicates

ii. Narcotics trafficking

iii. Customs fraud

iv. Trade-based money laundering

v. Multiple seizures involving smuggled gold, methamphetamine and container misdeclaration cases have been reported in recent months

 77. What are the best mediums for knowing official DRI’s updates?

• You can track ongoing notifications, investigations, vacancies and summons on the official DRI portal: www.dri.nic.in

Chapter VII – Updates on the National Investigation Agency (NIA)

78. What are major activities?

• NIA continues active investigations in terrorism, cross-border networks and organised anti–national activities.

 79. What are expansions of operation capacity?

•  Recruitment for senior police, prosecution and scientific forensic posts is presently underway, indicating further expansion of operational capacity.

 80. What are major investigations?

•    NIA has remained in focus in matters linked to extradition and interrogation of accused in major terror cases including the 26/11 Mumbai attack investigations.

 81. What are the best mediums for knowing official NIA’s updates?

• You can track ongoing notifications, investigations, vacancies and summons on the official NIA portal: www.nia.gov.in

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(Author can be reached at email address satishagarwal307@yahoo.com or on Mobile No. 9811081957)

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