Nawal Kishore Meena v. State of Rajasthan; 2026 INSC 71 - S.17 Prevention Of Corruption Act - Investigation By State Agencies

Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988: Sections 17 - Section 17 does not exclude or prevents the State Police or a Special Agency of the State from registering a crime or investigating cases relating to bribery, corruption and misconduct against Central Government employes- The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) is also a wing of State Police- The offences under the PC Act are also cognizable and can, therefore, be investigated by the State Police or VACB - The only rider is that the investigation can be done only by a police officer of the rank specified in Section 17 of the PC Act. (Para 8)

Criminal Investigation - The relation between the CBI and the State Police is supplementary to each other and as per the CBI constitution and inter se arrangement between CBI and State police there are several areas where the CBI and the Police require inter se cooperation and support. (Para 5)

Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 - Section 156 -The existence of a special law by itself cannot be taken to exclude the operation of Cr.P.C. Unless the special law expressly or impliedly provides a separate provision for investigation, the general provision under Section 156 of Cr.P.C shall prevail. (Para 6)

Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 - Section 2(s)- The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) is also a wing of State Police. (Para 8)