Amended Anti-Corruption Act has no retrospective effect, rules Kerala High Court

Kochi: Kerala High Court stated that old laws will be applicable for corruption cases that have been filed before the amendment of anti-corruption act. The important judgement pronounced by Justice Sunil Thomas was in response to the petition filed by an accused in CBI case.

The petitioner claimed that the of anti-corruption law amended on July 2018 was also applicable for the earlier cases as well. However, the court rejected it completely.

Amendment of the law that was framed in 1988 came into effect on July 2018. As per this, people giving bribes will be sentenced to seven years in prison and companies will be made to pay a penalty. It also provides protection to government employees, politicians and bank authorities. Government’s approval is needed to start an investigation against them following a complaint.