The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (PCA) empowers certain officers to investigate offences under the Act. The following are the persons authorized to investigate under the PCA:
- The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation): The CBI is a central agency that investigates serious crimes, including corruption cases.
- The State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB): Each state has an ACB that investigates corruption cases in the state.
- Police officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or above
- Any other officer authorized by the Central Government or the State Government
Section 17 of the PCA
Section 17 of the PCA deals with the persons authorized to investigate. It provides that no police officer below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police shall investigate any offence punishable under the PCA without the order of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Magistrate of the first class, as the case may be.
MCQs on Persons authorized to investigate under the PCA
- Which of the following persons is not authorized to investigate under the PCA?
- A police officer of the rank of Inspector.
- An officer of the CBI.
- An officer of the State ACB.
- An officer authorized by the Central Government.
The correct answer is (a). A police officer of the rank of Inspector is not authorized to investigate under the PCA.
- A police officer wants to investigate an offence under the PCA. What is the minimum rank of the police officer who can investigate the offence?
- Inspector.
- Deputy Superintendent of Police.
- Superintendent of Police.
- Additional Director General of Police.
The correct answer is (b). The minimum rank of the police officer who can investigate an offence under the PCA is Deputy Superintendent of Police.
- A police officer wants to investigate an offence under the PCA, but he does not have the order of a Magistrate. What should he do?
- He should apply to the Magistrate for an order.
- He should investigate the offence without the order of the Magistrate.
- He should refer the matter to the CBI.
- He should wait for the order of the Magistrate.
The correct answer is (a). The police officer should apply to the Magistrate for an order.
Conclusion
The PCA empowers certain officers to investigate offences under the Act. The officers authorized to investigate are the CBI, the State ACBs, and police officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or above. The investigation of offences under the PCA is an important step in the fight against corruption.