K. KALIMUTHU vs STATE BY D.S.P.

The Supreme Court addressed the applicability of Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, in cases involving allegations against public servants under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. The Court held that for a public servant to claim protection under Section 197, there must be a reasonable connection between the alleged act and the discharge of official duty. The Court set aside the favorable ruling for one appellant while upholding the High Court's dismissal of pleas in the other two cases, affirming that the protection under Section 197 was not applicable in those instances.