Context:

• The Lok Sabha passed the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2018 that seeks to punish bribe-givers and bribe-takers.

About the Bill:

• The Bill provides for jail terms of three to seven years, besides fine, to those convicted of taking or giving bribes to public officials.
• The Bill also extends the ambit of public servants who will be protected by the provision of a prior government sanction for prosecution.
• There is also a provision now to get prior permission for starting an investigation and that has prompted many to say that the law has been “diluted” from its original draft.
• Safeguards had been provided to ensure that honest officers were not intimidated by false complaints.
• In a departure from the earlier anti-corruption law, the current law makes a distinction between “collusive bribe givers” and those who are “coerced.” In such cases, the Bill seeks to protect those who report the matter within seven days.