India, Jan. 13 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a split verdict on the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988, a provision inserted through the 2018 amendments mandating prior government approval before initiating any inquiry or investigation against public servants for decisions taken in the discharge of official duties.

A bench comprising justices BV Nagarathna and KV Viswanathan differed on whether the provision could withstand constitutional scrutiny. Justice Nagarathna struck it down as unconstitutional. Justice Viswanathan upheld it subject to safeguards. In view of the divergence, the matter will now be placed before the Chief Justice of India for the Constitution of a larger...