Public Servants Accepting Bribes

Corruption is the abuse of power by people in power for their own gain in a dishonest or unethical way. In India, it is illegal for public servants to accept money/gifts over and above their salary, in return for doing their duty, favoring a person or for not doing their duty. Any person helping the public servant commit these crimes can also be punished.

Public servants in India are not allowed to:

• Accept money/gifts other than the salary provided as part of their job;
• Ask for or get money/gifts, in addition to their salary, in return for doing their official duty;
• Ask for or get money/gifts, in addition to their salary, in return for not doing their official duty;
• Be partial to someone who has paid them money or give them gifts;
• Do any special favours for someone who has offered them money or gifts;
• You can be sent to jail for a period of 3 to 7 years and be asked to pay a fine for doing any of the above.

A public servant breaks the law by accepting any gift or benefit, not just money. You are breaking the law if you, as a public servant, accept something of value from a person without paying for the gift/service and with whom you have a business or official relationship. You can be sent to jail for a period of 6 months to 5 years and may also have to pay a fine.

Example: You are a public servant working in the Public Works Department and are in-charge of approving tender for road construction. You accept a car from Ravi without paying him any money. You know that his company will apply to your department for approval of a contract to build a highway. If Ravi is given the approval, accepting the car would be considered as accepting a bribe.