The HC dismissed the petition challenging cognizance under...

The HC dismissed the petition challenging cognizance under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA taken against a public servant who was prosecuted without departmental sanction. The Court held that Section 218 of the BNSS prescribes that prior sanction is required to prosecute a public servant not removable except by the Government for offences alleged to have been committed while exercising official functions; however, it concluded the impugned act-cash and a gold bar found in the petitioner's residential almirah-did not constitute an act performed in official discharge of duties. Notwithstanding the sanction contention, the HC found no merit in the petition and accordingly rejected the challenge.