<h1>Mandatory prior sanction for investigating government servants u/s 17A; split verdict sent to CJI for constitution bench, enforceability unresolved</h1> A split Supreme Court verdict was delivered on the constitutional validity of Section 17A (2018) of the anti-corruption statute, which prescribes mandatory prior sanction before initiating investigation against a government servant; operative effect: the uncertainty created by the split has led to reference to the Chief Justice for constitution bench determination, leaving the provision's enforceability unresolved pending that decision. Separately, the CBI has asserted that certain appointment decisions taken by a former minister fall outside the discharge of official duties; operative effect: this position supports the agency's ability to pursue criminal proceedings by treating those acts as not shielded by official-duty sanction requirements.