In a far-reaching and controversial decision, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday amended a provision of the Criminal Procedure Code to prevent filing of an FIR against a 'public representative' without the sanction of a competent authority.
With the amendments to the CrPC (156) (3) and 190 provisions, police won't be able to file an FIR against an MLA or a bureaucrat, even if so directed by a court, without the sanction of the speaker of the Assembly in case of the former and of the chief secretary in case of the latter. The decision is also applicable to elected representatives of panchayats and municipalities.
