Complaint of bribe against state government employee

Dear Sir,

For an individual bribery complaint:

File complaint with State ACB/Vigilance
Preserve evidence (audio, witnesses, documents)
If no action → approach High Court
Seek CBI probe only if State machinery fails

Dear Client,
In the given scenario, a complaint may be filed with Lokpal of India in terms of provisions under Section 2(e) of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, for the offenses alleged to have been committed by a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 such as Offence relating to public servant being bribed, taking undue advantage to influence public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by the exercise of personal influence. In terms of provisions under Section 53 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, a complaint should be made within seven years from the date on which the offense mentioned in the complaint is alleged to have been committed. A complaint is required to be filed in the prescribed form annexed with the Lokpal (Complaint) Rules, 2020. The complaint can be filed online through the Lokpal Online portal. A fillable complaint form is also available at (https://lokpal.gov.in/pdfs/complaint_form.docx). Under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, prosecution is required for an offence punishable under Sections 7, 10, 11, 13, and 15 of the Act, while under Section 197(1) Cr. P.C., the sanction is required for an offence committed by a public servant while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of his official duty and not otherwise. The CBI investigates corruption cases in compliance with the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, under the supervision of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). This can include cases of bribery, extortion, and other forms of corruption. The CBI has a special division called the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB). This branch handles the investigation of corruption-related cases. The CBI can initiate suo motu investigations based on information received from the public, the media, or other sources. The ACB's authority to investigate and file cases is not contingent on the official's employment status, even if they are suspended. Suspension is a disciplinary action, and the ACB's powers to investigate alleged corruption are independent of an official's employment status. The ACB can conduct its investigation, collect evidence, and file a case even if the official is suspended from service. Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2015 is another Act of the Parliament of India that provides a mechanism to investigate alleged corruption and misuse of power by public servants and also protects anyone who exposes alleged wrongdoing in government bodies, projects, and offices. Every complaint has to include the identity of the complainant. The Act prescribes penalties for knowingly making false complaints. Further, Project VIGEYE (Vigilance Eye) is a citizen-centric initiative, wherein citizens join hands with the Central Vigilance Commission in fighting corruption. Users can lodge their grievances and complaints online, which also requires the personal details of the complainant for registration and login to the portal. Be informed that an anonymous complaint is neither permissible nor acceptable even in a Court of law. A complainant has to prove their complaint against the O/P accused once it is challenged before the Court.