The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – All Sections

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the prevention of corruption and for matters connected therewith.

The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 has 35 sections in 6 chapters, amended 7 times. Each link below opens the official text of that section. Official PDF on India Code.

The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 PDF

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Official copy of the Act from India Code (Legislative Department, Government of India).

All sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988

Chapter I: PRELIMINARY

Section 1 – Short title and extent
Section 2 – Definitions

Chapter II: APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL JUDGES

Section 3 – Power to appoint special Judges
Section 4 – Cases triable by special Judges
Section 5 – Procedure and powers of special Judge
Section 6 – Power to try summarily

Chapter III: OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

Section 7 – Offence relating to public servant being bribed
Section 7A – Taking undue advantage to influence public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of personal influence
Section 8 – Offence relating to bribing of a public servant
Section 9 – Offence relating to bribing a public servant by a commercial organisation
Section 10 – Person in charge of commercial organisation to be guilty of offence
Section 11 – Public servant obtaining undue advantage, without consideration from person concerned in proceeding or business transacted by such public servant
Section 12 – Punishment for abetment of offences
Section 13 – Criminal misconduct by a public servant
Section 14 – Punishment for habitual offender
Section 15 – Punishment for attempt
Section 16 – Matters to be taken into consideration for fixing fine

Chapter IV: INVESTIGATION INTO CASES UNDER THE ACT

Section 17 – Persons authorised to investigate
Section 17A – Enquiry or Inquiry or investigation of offences relatable to recommendations made or decision taken by public servant in discharge of official functions or duties
Section 18 – Power to inspect bankers’ books

Chapter IV: ATTACHMENT AND FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY

Section 18A – Provisions of Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1944 to apply to attachment under this Act

Chapter V: SANCTION FOR PROSECUTION AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 19 – Previous sanction necessary for prosecution
Section 20 – Presumption where public servant accepts any undue advantage
Section 21 – Accused person to be a competent witness
Section 22 – The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 to apply subject to certain modifications
Section 23 – Particulars in a charge in relation to an offence under section 13(1)(a)
Section 24 – Statement by bribe giver not to subject him to prosecution (omitted/repealed)
Section 25 – Military, Naval and Air Force or other law not to be affected
Section 26 – Special Judges appointed under Act 46 of 1952 to be special Judges appointed under this Act
Section 27 – Appeal and revision
Section 28 – Act to be in addition to any other law
Section 29 – Amendment of the Ordinance 38 of 1944
Section 29A – Power to make rules
Section 30 – Repeal and saving
Section 31 – Omission of certain sections of Act 45 of 1860 (omitted/repealed)