The Supreme Court of India has ruled that licensed stamp vendors qualify as “public servants” under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The court acquitted Aman Bhatia, a convicted stamp vendor, due to lack of evidence for bribe demand, emphasizing that public servant status is based on duty, not remuneration type.
Today (16th May): The Supreme Court ruled that Air India Limited ceased to be a state entity under Article 12 of the Constitution after its disinvestment and transfer to the Tata Group. The court dismissed appeals against the Bombay High Court’s verdict, stating that post-privatization, the company no longer fell under the court’s writ jurisdiction. The appellants were directed to seek alternative avenues for remedy.
