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CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION ACT, 2003
45 of 2003
11th September, 2003
An Act to provide for the constitution of a Central Vigilance Commission to inquire or cause inquiries to be conducted into offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 by certain categories of public servants of the Central Government, Corporations established by or under any Central Act, Government companies, societies and local authorities owned or controlled by the Central Government and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Be it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
CHAPTER 01: PRELIMINARY
SECTION 01: SHORT TITLE
This Act may be called the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003.
SECTION 02: DEFINITIONS
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) "Central Vigilance Commissioner" means the Central Vigilance Commissioner appointed under sub-sec. (1) of Sec. 4;
(b) "Commission" means the Central Vigilance Commission constituted under sub- sec. (1) of Sec. 3;
(c) "Delhi Special Police Establishment" means the Delhi Special Police Establishment constituted under sub-sec. (1) of Sec. 2 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (25 of 1946);
(d) "Government company" means a Government company within the meaning of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956);
(e) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(f) "Vigilance Commissioner" means a Vigilance Commissioner appointed under sub-sec. (1) of Sec. 4- .
CHAPTER 02: THE CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION
SECTION 03: CONSTITUTION OF CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION
(1) There shall be constituted a body to be known as the Central Vigilance Commission to exercise the powers conferred upon, and to perform the functions assigned to it under this Act and the Central Vigilance Commission constituted under sub-sec. (1) of Sec. 3 of the Central Vigilance Commission Ordinance, 1999 (Ord. 4 of 1999), which ceased to operate, and continued under the Government of India in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) Resolution No. 371/20/99-AVD. III, dt. 4.4.1999 as amended vide Resolution of even number dt. 13.8.2002 shall be deemed to be the Commission constituted under this Act.
(2) The Commission shall consist of—
(a) A Central Vigilance Commissioner — Chairperson;
(b) not more than two Vigilance Commissioners — Members
(3) The Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners shall be appointed from amongst persons—
(a) who have been or are in an All India Service or in any civil service of the Union or in a civil post under the Union having knowledge and experience in the matters relating to vigilance, policy making and administration including police administration; or
(b) who have held office or are holding office in a corporation established by or under any Central Act or a Government company owned or controlled by the Central Government and persons who have expertise and experience in finance including insurance and banking, law, vigilance and investigations : Provided that, from amongst the Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners, not more than two persons shall belong to the category of persons referred to either in clause (a) or clause (b).
(4) The Central Government shall appoint a Secretary to the Commission on such terms and conditions as it deems fit to exercise such powers and discharge such duties as the Commission may by regulations specify in this behalf.
(5) The Central Vigilance Commissioner, the other Vigilance Commissioners and the Secretary to the Commission appointed under the Central Vigilance Commission Ordinance, 1999 (Ord. 4 of 1999) or the Resolution of the Government of India in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) Resolution No. 371/20/99- AVD. III, dt. 4.4.1999 as amended vide Resolution of even number, dt. 13.8.2002 shall be deemed to have been appointed under this Act on the same terms and conditions including the term of office subject to which they were so appointed under the said Ordinance or the Resolution, as the case may be. Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression "term of office" shall be construed as the term of office with effect from the date the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner has entered upon his office and continued as such under this Act.
(6) The headquarters of the Commission shall be at New Delhi.
SECTION 04: APPOINTMENT OF CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER AND VIGILANCE COMMISSIONERS
(1) The Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal: Provided that every appointment under this subsection shall be made after obtaining the recommendation of a Committee consisting of—
(a) the Prime Minister — Chairperson;
(b) the Minister Home Affairs — Member;
(c) the Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People — Member.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub -section, "the Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People" shall, when no such Leader has been so recognised, include the Leader of the single largest group in opposition of the Government in the House of the People.
(2) No appointment of a Central Vigilance Commissioner or a Vigilance Commissioner shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy in the Committee.
SECTION 05: TERMS AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER
(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-sees. (3) and (4), the Central Vigilance Commissioner shall hold office for a term of four years from the date on which he enters upon his office or till he attains the age of sixty- five years, whichever is earlier. The Central Vigilance Commissioner, on ceasing to hold the office, shall be ineligible for reappointment in the Commission.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-sees. (3) and (4), every Vigilance Commissioner shall hold office for a term of four years from the date on which he enters upon his office or till he attains the age of sixty five years, whichever is earlier: Provided that every Vigilance Commissioner, on ceasing to hold the office, shall be eligible for appointment as the Central Vigilance Commissioner in the manner specified in sub-sec. (1) of Sec. 4- : Provided further that the term of the Vigilance Commissioner, if appointed as the Central Vigilance Commissioner, shall not be more than four years in aggregate as the Vigilance Commissioner and the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
(3) The Central Vigilance Commissioner or a Vigilance Commissioner shall, before he enters upon his office, make and subscriber before the President, or some other person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in Schedule to this Act.
(4) The Central Vigilance Commissioner or a Vigilance Commissioner may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.
(5) The Central Vigilance Commissioner or a Vigilance Commissioner may be removed from his office in the manner provided in Sec. 6- .
(6) On ceasing to hold office, the Central Vigilance Commissioner and every other Vigilance Commissioner shall be ineligible for—
(a) any diplomatic assignment, appointment as administrator of a Union territory and such other assignment or appointment which is required by law to be made by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
(b) further employment to any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of a State.
(7) The salary and allowances payable to and the other conditions of service of—
(a) the Central Vigilance Commissioner shall be the same as those of the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission;
(b) the Vigilance Commissioner shall be the same as those of a Member of the Union Public Service Commission :
Provided that if the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner is, at the time of his appointment, in receipt of a pension (other than a disability or wound pension) in respect of any previous service under the Government of India or under the Government of a State, his salary in respect of the service as the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner shall be reduced by the amount of that pension including any portion of pension which was commuted and pension equivalent of other forms of retirement benefits excluding pension equivalent of retirement gratuity :
Provided further that if the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner is, at the time of his appointment, in receipt of retirement benefits in respect of any previous service rendered in a corporation established by or under any Central Act or a Government company owned or controlled by the Central Government, his salary in respect of the service as the Central Vigilance Commissioner or, as the case may be, the Vigilance Commissioner shall be reduced by the amount of pension equivalent to the retirement benefits:
Provided also that the salary, allowances and pension payable to, and the other conditions of service of, the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.
SECTION 06: REMOVAL OF CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER AND VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER
(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-sec. (3), the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner shall be removed from his office only by order of the President on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity after the Supreme Court, on a reference made to it by the President, has, on inquiry, reported that the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner, as the case may be, ought on such ground be removed.
(2) The President may suspend from office, and if deem necessary prohibit also from attending the office during inquiry, the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner in respect of whom a reference has been made to the Supreme Court under sub-sec. (1) until the President has passed orders on receipt of the report of the Supreme Court on such reference.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sec. (1), the President may by order remove from office the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner if the Central Vigilance Commissioner or such Vigilance Commissioner, as the case may be,-
(a) is adjudged an insolvent; or
(b) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government, involves moral turpitude; or
(c) engages during his term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of his office; or
(d) is, in the opinion of the President, unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body; or
(e) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as a Central Vigilance Commissioner or a Vigilance Commissioner.
(4) If the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner is or becomes in any way, concerned or interested in any contract or agreement made by or on behalf of the Government of India or participates in any way in the profit thereof or in any benefit or emolument arising therefrom otherwise than as a member and in common with the other members of an incorporated company, he shall, for the purposes of sub-sec. (1), be deemed to be guilty of misbehaviour.
SECTION 07: POWER TO MAKE RULES BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FOR STAFF
The Central Government may, in consultation with the Commission, make rules with respect to the number of members of the staff of the Commission and their conditions of service.
CHAPTER 03: FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION
SECTION 08: FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION
(1) The functions and powers of the Commission shall be to—
(a) exercise superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment in so far as it relates to the investigation of offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988) or an offence with which a public servant specified in sub-sec. (2) may, under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), be charged at the same trial;
(b) give directions to the Delhi Special Police Establishment for the purpose of discharging the responsibility entrusted to it under sub-sec. (1) of Sec. 4 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (25 of 1946) :
Provided that while exercising the powers of superintendence under clause (a) or giving directions under this clause, the Commission shall not exercise powers in such a manner so as to require the Delhi Special Police Establishment to investigate or dispose of any case in a particular manner;
(c) inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made on a reference made by the Central Government wherein it is alleged that a public servant being an employee of the Central Government or a corporation established by or under any Central Act, Government company, society and any local authority owned or controlled by that Government, has committed an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988) or an offence with which a public servant may, under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) be charged at the same trial;
(d) inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made into any complaint against any official belonging to such category of officials specified in sub-sec. (2) of wherein it is alleged that he has committed an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988) and an offence with which a public servant specified in sub-sec. (2) may, under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), be charged at the same trial;
(e) review the progress of investigations conducted by the Delhi Special Police Establishment into offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988) or the public servant may, under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), be charged at the same trial;
(f) review the progress of applications pending with the competent authorities for sanction of prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988);
(g) tender advice to the Central Government, corporations established by or under any Central Act, Government companies, societies and local authorities owned or controlled by the Central Government on such matters as may be referred to it by that Government, said Government companies, societies and local authorities owned or controlled by the Central Government or otherwise;
(h) exercise superintendence over the vigilance administration of the various Ministries of the Central Government or corporations established by or under any Central Act, Government companies, societies and local authorities owned or controlled by that Government:
Provided that nothing contained in this clause shall be deemed to authorise the Commission to exercise superintendence over the Vigilance administration in a manner not consistent with the directions relating to vigilance matters issued by the Government and to confer power upon the Commission to issue directions relating to any policy matters;
(2) The person referred to in clause (d) of sub-sec. (1) are as follows :—
(a) members of All India Services serving in connection with the affairs of the Union and Group 'A' officers of the Central Government;
(b) such level of officers of the corporations established by or under any Central Act, Government companies, societies and other local authorities, owned or controlled by the Central Government, as that Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf:
Provided that till such time a notification is issued under this clause, all officers of the said corporations, companies, societies and local authorities shall be deemed to be the persons referred to in clause (d) of sub -sec. (1).
SECTION 09: PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSION
(1) The proceedings of the Commission shall be conducted at its headquarters.
(2) The Commission may, by unanimous decision, regulate the procedure for transaction of its business as also allocation of its business amongst the Central Vigilance Commissioner and other Vigilance Commissioners.
(3) Save as provided in sub-sec. (2), all business of the Commission shall, as far as possible, be transacted unanimously.
(4) Subject to the provisions of sub-sec. (3), if the Central Vigilance Commissioner and other Vigilance Commissioners differ in opinion on any matter; such matter shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority.
(5) The Central Vigilance Commissioner, or, if for any reason he is unable to attend any meeting of the Commission, the senior most Vigilance Commissioner present at the meeting, shall preside at the meeting.
(6) No act or proceeding of the Commission shall be invalid merely by reason of—
(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Commission; or
(b) any defect in the appointment of a person acting as the Central Vigilance Commissioner or as a Vigilance Commissioner; or
(c) any irregularity in the procedure of the Commission not affecting the merits of the case.
SECTION 10: VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER TO ACT AS CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
(1) In the event of the occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the Central Vigilance Commissioner by reason of his death, resignation or otherwise, the President may, by notification, authorise one of the Vigilance Commissioners to act as the Central Vigilance Commissioner until the appointment of a new Central Vigilance Commissioner to fill such vacancy.
(2) When the Central Vigilance Commissioner is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence on leave or otherwise, such one of the Vigilance Commissioners as the President may, by notification, authorise in this behalf, shall discharge the functions of the Central Vigilance Commissioner until the date on which the Central Vigilance Commissioner resumes his duties.
SECTION 11: POWER RELATING TO INQUIRIES
The Commission shall, while conducting any inquiry referred to in clauses (b) and (c) of sub-sec. (1) of Sec. 8 - , have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) and in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:—
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;
(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or other documents; and
(f) any other matter which may be prescribed.
SECTION 12: PROCEEDINGS BEFORE COMMISSION TO BE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
The Commission shall be deemed to be a civil court for the purposes of Sec. 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), and every proceeding before the Commission shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of Secs. 193 and 228 and for the purposes of Sec. 196 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
CHAPTER 04: EXPENSES AND ANNUAL REPORT
SECTION 13: EXPENSES OF COMMISSION TO BE CHARGED ON THE CONSOLIDATED FUND OF INDIA
The expenses of the Commission, including any salaries, allowances and pensions payable to or in respect of the Central Vigilance Commissioner, the Vigilance Commissioners, Secretary and the staff of the Commission, shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
SECTION 14: ANNUAL REPORT
(1) It shall be the duty of the Commission to present annually to the President a report as to the work done by the Commission within six months of the close of the year under report.
(2) The report referred to in sub-sec. (1) shall contain a separate part on the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment in so far as it relates to sub-sec. (1) of Sec. 4- of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (25 of 1946).
(3) On receipt of such report, the President shall cause the same to be laid before each House of Parliament.
CHAPTER 05: MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 15: PROTECTION OF ACTION TAKEN IN GOOD FAITH
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Commission, the Central Vigilance Commissioner, any Vigilance Commissioner, the Secretary or against any staff of the Commission in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.
SECTION 16: CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER, VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER AND STAFF TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS
The Central Vigilance Commissioner, every Vigilance Commissioner, the Secretary and every staff of the Commission shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of Sec. 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
SECTION 17: REPORT OF ANY INQUIRY MADE ON REFERENCE BY COMMISSION TO BE FORWARDED TO THAT COMMISSION
(1) The report of the inquiry undertaken by any agency on a reference made by the Commission shall be forwarded to the Commission.
(2) The Commission shall, on receipt of such report and after taking into consideration any other factors relevant thereto, advise the Central Government and corporations established by or under any Central Act, Government companies, societies and local authorities owned or controlled by that Government, as the case may be, as to the further course of action.
(3) The Central Government and the corporations established by or under any Central Act, Government companies, societies and other local authorities owned or controlled by that Government, as the case may be, shall consider the advice of the Commission and take appropriate action:
Provided that where the Central Government, any corporation established by or under any Central Act, Government company, society or local authority owned or controlled by the Central Government, as the case may be, does not agree with the advice of the Commission, it shall, for reasons to be recorded in writing, communicate the same to the Commission.
SECTION 18: POWER TO CALL FOR INFORMATION
The Commission may call for reports, returns and statements from the Central Government or corporations established by or under any Central Act, Government companies, societies and other local authorities owned or controlled by that Government so as to enable it to exercise general supervision over the vigilance and anti-corruption work in that Government and in the said corporations, Government companies, societies and local authorities.
SECTION 19: CONSULTATION WITH COMMISSION IN CERTAIN MATTERS
The Central Government shall, in making any rules or regulations governing the vigilance or disciplinary matters relating to persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or to members of the All India Services, consult the Commission.
SECTION 20: POWER TO MAKE RULES
(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely :—
(a) the number of members of the staff and their conditions of service under Sec. 7 - ;
(b) any other power of the civil court to be prescribed under clause (f) of Sec. 11- ; and
(c) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed.
SECTION 21: POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS
(1) The Commission may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, make regulations not inconsistent with this Act and the rules made thereunder to provide for all matters for which provision is expedient for the purposes of giving effect to the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the duties and the powers of the Secretary under sub -sec. (4) of Sec. 3 - ; and
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