The department of personnel and training is now hurrying to get sanction for the prosecution of senior bureaucrats accused of irregularities from their concerned ministries. Prompted by the supreme court order on deadlines for sanction of prosecution, DoPT is serving notices and reminders to several ministries seeking the approval.

The apex court recently came down heavily on the government for sitting on the requests and asked the government to adhere to a four-month deadline. The court said that in the event that a ministry to fail to reply in a case, the central bureau of investigation will be authorised to proceed with the probe against an official. According to ministry sources, 169 sanction requests from DoPT are awaiting replies. The concerned ministries have neither given their approval nor they have dismissed these requests. Ironically. some of the accused officers have already retired. DoPT has already held two meetings to resolve the issue. The Parliament has to pass a legislation on fixing a deadline. Till then, the supreme court's judgement stands as the guideline and the countdown has begun since the day of the order.