Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Monday rapped the state for delaying sanction to prosecute government officials caught by the anti-corruption bureau for corruption.

The court asked the state to file an affidavit and review its old government resolution (GR) which states that sanctions should be given within six months once application is received.

A division bench of justice R.M. Sawant and justice Sadhana Jadhav was hearing a PIL filed by activist Ankur Patil challenging the government’s 1996 resolution, which says that the ACB needs to take permission before prosecuting government servants.

Additional public prosecutor Prajakta Shinde said that as per the 1996 GR, a proposal seeking sanction to prosecute must be decided within six months. The period can be extended by another three months, if needed.