Taking undue advantage to influence public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of personal influence
Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 deals with taking undue advantage to influence public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of personal influence. Whoever accepts or obtains or attempts to obtain from another person for himself or for any other person any undue advantage as a motive or reward to induce a public servant, by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of his personal influence to perform or to cause performance of a public duty impr The Act came into force on 09 Sep 1988.
1[7A. Taking undue advantage to influence public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of personal influence.--Whoever accepts or obtains or attempts to obtain from another person for himself or for any other person any undue advantage as a motive or reward to induce a public servant, by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of his personal influence to perform or to cause performance of a public duty improperly or dishonestly or to forbear or to cause to forbear such public duty by such public servant or by another public servant, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.]
Section 7A, The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Act 49 of 1988).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Sheikh Abdul Majeed vs Union Territory Of Jammu & Kashmir Through Senior Superintendent Of Police, Police Station Anti Corruption Bureau Srinagar
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
A private individual who enters into a contract with a government undertaking to perform duties in which the State, public or community at large has an interest, thereby holds an 'office' and performs 'public duty' within the meaning of Sections 2(b) and 2(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, and can therefore be prosecuted under the Act for demanding or accepting bribes in connection with such duties. The definition of 'public servant' in the 1988 Act is to be interpreted purposively and widely to give effect to the legislative intention to widen the scope of anti-corruption law beyond traditional government employees.
On this section: Applied to hold that whoever accepts undue advantage to induce a public servant to perform duty improperly is punishable. Court held both petitioners can be prosecuted under this section.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… Constitution of India with the following prayer: > " (a) Issue writ in the nature of Mandamus commanding/directing respondent Nos.2 & 4, jointly, collectively, individually and severally to, forthwith, adjudicate, enquire, investigate and to launch consequential criminal prosecution against respondent No.1, under Section 7 & 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act emerging, ensuing and emanating from various criminal complaint(s) filed by petitioner, against respondent No.1, more particularly dated 18.9.2019 pending with respondent No.4 and 27.7.2020/17.8.2020 pending with respondent Nos.2 & 4 for more than sixteen months by now, who, in …
Questions about Section 7A
What have the courts held on Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act?
Sheikh Abdul Majeed vs Union Territory Of Jammu & Kashmir Through Senior Superintendent Of Police, Police Station Anti Corruption Bureau Srinagar (25 Sep 2023) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Applied to hold that whoever accepts undue advantage to induce a public servant to perform duty improperly is punishable. Court held both petitioners can be prosecuted under this section.
How do I find court cases under Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: PC Act 7A, section 7A PC Act, section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Sheikh Abdul Majeed vs Union Territory Of Jammu & Kashmir Through Senior Superintendent Of Police, Police Station Anti Corruption Bureau Srinagar (25 Sep 2023).
What should I read with Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and has it changed?
1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.
When did Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act come into force?
Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, cited as PC Act 7A, came into force on 09 Sep 1988, having been enacted on 09 Sep 1988. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 17A. Enquiry or Inquiry or investigation of offences relatable to recommendations made or decision taken by public servant in discharge of official functions or duties1666 words
- 19. Previous sanction necessary for prosecution869 words
- 2. Definitions716 words
- 9. Offence relating to bribing a public servant by a commercial organisation532 words
- 6. Power to try summarily374 words
- 5. Procedure and powers of special Judge368 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.