How to file a CBI / CVC vigilance complaint — complete 2026 guide

CVC received around 1.04 lakh complaints in 2024 (CVC Annual Report 2024 — figures rounded). About 15% led to formal inquiry, 3% to prosecution sanction, and the rest were either filed (insufficient material), forwarded to other agencies, or returned for want of jurisdiction. The funnel is narrow — but documented complaints with named accused, specific dates, and verifiable amounts have a much higher success rate than vague allegations.

India's anti-corruption architecture is layered. Confusing the layers is the most common reason a serious complaint dies on a desk.

• Central Vigilance Commission (CVC): Statutory body under the CVC Act 2003. Apex integrity oversight body for central government organisations — ministries, central PSUs, nationalised banks, central autonomous bodies, central universities. CVC supervises CBI on anti-corruption matters. CVC is recommendatory — it does not prosecute; it directs the appropriate authority (CBI / departmental vigilance officer) to investigate.
• CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation): Constituted under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946. Investigates corruption + serious crimes. Jurisdiction is primarily over central government employees; for state government employees, CBI needs either consent of that state government or a court order (typically a High Court / Supreme Court direction). This is the so-called “general consent” issue — several states have withdrawn general consent.
• State Vigilance Commission / Vigilance Bureau: Each state has a vigilance setup. Examples: Maharashtra State Vigilance Commission Act 1979 (now overseen via the Anti-Corruption Bureau under Home Department), Karnataka Lokayukta Act 1984 (Karnataka Lokayukta also functions as the state's primary anti-corruption agency), MP State Vigilance Bureau under MP Lokayukta. Jurisdiction over state government employees, panchayats, ULBs, state PSUs, state universities.
• Lokpal of India: Constituted under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 (operationalised 2019). Jurisdiction over Prime Minister (limited), Union Ministers, MPs, Group A/B/C central officers, central PSU officials. Parallel, not exclusive with CVC / CBI — for very senior public servants or political functionaries, Lokpal is often the preferred channel. See How to file a Lokpal / Lokayukta complaint — complete 2026 guide.
• State Lokayukta: Each state has a Lokayukta under its own Act (e.g., Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala). Jurisdiction over the Chief Minister (in some states), state ministers, state government officers. Anna Hazare's 2011 movement led to most states activating these.
• Departmental Vigilance Officer (VO): Every government department has an internal Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) — for routine misconduct (irregular sanction, unauthorised absence, soft corruption). The first stop for many cases.

The substantive offences come from the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (substantially amended by the PC (Amendment) Act 2018):

• §7 PC Act: Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration. Punishable with 3-7 years + fine.
• §7A: Taking gratification by any person to influence a public servant. (Added 2018 — catches middlemen.)
• §8: Bribe-giving is now an offence too (post-2018 amendment), with a defence for those who report within 7 days.
• §11: Public servant obtaining valuable thing without consideration.
• §13: Criminal misconduct by public servant — including possessing assets disproportionate to income, fraudulent misappropriation. 4-10 years.
• §17 / 17A: Prior approval of competent authority required before any inquiry / investigation against an officer for actions in the discharge of official functions. (The 2018 §17A has slowed many investigations — a fact you should be aware of.)
• §19: Sanction for prosecution required from the appointing authority before a court can take cognisance.

Procedurally, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (BNSS 2023) replaced the old CrPC from 1 July 2024 and governs FIR, investigation, and trial. Trials under PC Act go to designated Special Courts under §3 of the PC Act.

• Identify whether the accused is central or state government. Central → CVC / CBI / Lokpal. State → State Vigilance Commission / Lokayukta. Mixed funding (central scheme implemented by state) → CVC has concurrent jurisdiction.
• Gather contemporaneous evidence:
  • Documents — letters, file notings, sanction orders, contradictory orders.
  • Audio / video recordings (legally admissible if you accompany them with a §63 BSA 2023 certificate — formerly §65B Indian Evidence Act).
  • WhatsApp / SMS / email screenshots with sender details + dates.
  • Bank withdrawal slips / cash deposit slips dated to demanded payment.
  • Witness affidavits on ₹10 / ₹100 stamp paper.
• Avoid speculation in the complaint. “I think the SDM is corrupt” carries zero weight. “On 14 March 2024 at 11.30 am, in his chamber, SDM Mr X demanded ₹50,000 to release my caste certificate, in the presence of my brother Mr Y” is a complaint that leads to inquiry.

• Every central / state department has a CVO — often a senior officer of the rank of Director / Joint Secretary, with a separate office.
• Find the CVO via the department's website (“Vigilance” tab) or via cvc.gov.in → “Organisations” → “List of CVOs”.
• Useful when: you want early intervention without external escalation; the accused is mid-level; the case has a service / disciplinary angle (not a clear PC Act offence).
• Less useful when: the CVO reports up the same line as the accused; or when there is a credible allegation of cover-up.

• Online: https://cvc.gov.in → “Lodge a Complaint”.
• Format prescribed: name + address + contact of complainant; name + designation + organisation of accused; specific allegation with dates / amounts / witnesses; supporting documents (uploadable up to 25 MB).
• Identity disclosure: CVC accepts named complaints with full priority. Anonymous / pseudonymous complaints are accepted only in exceptional cases (typically when there is verifiable documentary evidence like minutes / files).
• If you need protection, invoke the Public Interest Disclosure & Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution 2004 — file a separate sealed cover envelope to the Secretary, CVC, marked “PIDPI complaint”, with your identity in a sealed inner envelope. CVC keeps your identity protected.
• Alternative: by post to Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission, Satarkata Bhawan, GPO Complex, Block A, INA, New Delhi 110023.
• Helpline: 011-2465-1010.

• Online: https://cbi.gov.in → “Citizen Services” → “Lodge Complaint”.
• Email: information@cbi.gov.in (general); zone-wise emails listed on cbi.gov.in.
• By post: Director, Central Bureau of Investigation, Plot No. 5-B, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003.
• Helpline: 011-2419-2000 (HQ).
• For state government employees, CBI will require either state government consent or a court order — anticipate that.

• Locate the state body's website. Examples:
  • Karnataka Lokayukta: https://klokayukta.kar.nic.in
  • Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta: https://mplokayukt.nic.in
  • Maharashtra ACB: https://acbmaharashtra.gov.in
  • UP Lokayukta: https://lokayukta.up.nic.in
  • Tamil Nadu DVAC: https://www.dvac.tn.gov.in
• Online complaint OR by post to the State Vigilance Commissioner / Lokayukta.

• https://lokpal.gov.in → online complaint (Form 1, 2, or 3 depending on the accused's category).
• Lokpal is parallel — you can file with Lokpal AND CVC AND a Lokayukta. They will coordinate under §20 of the Lokpal Act 2013 to avoid duplication.
• See How to file a Lokpal / Lokayukta complaint — complete 2026 guide for the detailed procedure.

• CVC issues a Complaint Reference Number within 7 days. Track at cvc.gov.in → “View Complaint Status”.
• CBI shares an acknowledgement number for online complaints; status updates by email.
• Inquiry: typical timeline 90-180 days for a preliminary inquiry; full investigation 6-18 months.
• Outcome categories: (a) closed (no prima facie case), (b) advice for departmental action, © sanction for prosecution under PC Act.

• Re-submit with new evidence (always allowed).
• Escalate to CVC's Director of Inquiry (DI) → CVC Chairperson.
• Approach the High Court under Article 226 by way of writ petition seeking direction to CBI / CVC to investigate (the *Lalita Kumari v Govt of UP* (2014) 2 SCC 1 standard for FIR registration also applies to investigation).
• RTI to PIO CVC for the file noting and reasons for closure.

+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| CVC online complaint              | Free. Acknowledgement in 7 days.     |
| (cvc.gov.in)                      | Inquiry SLA: 90-180 days for prelim  |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| CBI complaint                     | Free. Online / email / post.         |
| (cbi.gov.in)                      | Helpline 011-2419-2000               |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Lokpal complaint                  | Free if individual. Form 1 / 2 / 3.  |
| (lokpal.gov.in)                   | Court fee for organisations: ₹500    |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| State Lokayukta / SVC             | Free in most states. Verify on       |
|                                   | state Lokayukta website              |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Departmental CVO                  | Free. No statutory SLA but typical   |
|                                   | reply 30-60 days                     |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| PIDPI Resolution 2004 (whistle-   | Free. Identity protected by CVC.     |
| blower)                           | Sealed envelope to Secretary CVC     |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Affidavit on ₹10 / ₹100 stamp     | ₹10-100 stamp + notary fee ₹100-200  |
| paper (witness)                   |                                      |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| RTI to PIO CVC                    | ₹10 by IPO. BPL = free. CVC IS a     |
|                                   | public authority                     |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| RTI to PIO CBI                    | ₹10 by IPO. BUT CBI is mostly        |
|                                   | exempt under §24 RTI Act + Sch II.   |
|                                   | Anti-corruption / HR data IS         |
|                                   | disclosable (CIC orders + Subhash    |
|                                   | Chandra Agrawal line of decisions)   |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| PC Act limitation (in practice)   | No fixed limitation period for       |
|                                   | PC Act offences (continuing wrong);  |
|                                   | but practical evidence-decay limit   |
|                                   | ~5 years                             |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| §17A PC Act prior approval        | Required before any inquiry /        |
|                                   | investigation for actions in         |
|                                   | discharge of official functions.     |
|                                   | Often slows things down.             |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Special Court trial                | Under PC Act §3. Trial typically     |
|                                   | 2-6 years. Conviction rate ~70%      |
|                                   | once charge sheet filed (NCRB)       |
+-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+

• General allegations. “Officer X is corrupt” doesn't qualify for inquiry. You need specific act + date + place + amount + witness OR document.
• Jurisdictional confusion. Filing against a state employee at CBI without state consent → returned. Filing against a private bank employee at CVC → returned (CVC has limited reach into private sector, except for public-private contracts).
• §17A PC Act bottleneck. Since 2018 amendment, prior approval of the appointing authority is needed for inquiry against any public servant for actions in their official function. Approval can take 6-12 months. Builds a delay layer.
• Accused officer transferred / retired. PC Act applies to retired servants too, but the practical investigation slows when the officer is no longer in the same office. Keep your evidence safe.
• Political interference. Reality. Especially in states. Mitigations: file in parallel at CVC + state agency + Lokpal; file under PIDPI for identity protection; send a copy to one or two reputed civil society organisations / legal aid clinics.
• Complainant identity revealed. Accidentally — through staff leak, or because the complaint copy itself ended up with the accused's department. Your protection is PIDPI sealed cover for serious cases.
• Insufficient documentary backing. Audio recording without §63 BSA 2023 certificate is treated as suspect. Witness statement without affidavit is treated as casual. Take the small extra step.
• Limitation in practice. PC Act has no statutory limitation, but courts increasingly question old complaints (>5 years) on evidence-decay grounds. File while events are fresh.

• If CVC closed your complaint with one-line reasoning, write to the Director of Inquiry, Satarkata Bhawan, INA, New Delhi.

• https://cvc.gov.in → “Chairperson”. Letter cc'd to Chairperson is taken seriously.

• For senior central officers and ministers. https://lokpal.gov.in. See How to file a Lokpal / Lokayukta complaint.

• Seeking direction to CBI / CVC to investigate, or seeking quashing of closure. Lawyer required. Fee varies.

• For matters of public importance — pattern of corruption in a sector / state. Long process; rarely the right first step.

This is where honesty matters more than usual.

RTI helps here when:

• You want the status of your complaint at CVC — file with PIO, CVC, asking for: complaint reference number, dealing officer name, current stage (under preliminary verification / inquiry by CBI / report received), and the next step.
• You want statistical / pattern information — number of complaints received against organisation X in the last 3 years, number resulting in prosecution sanction. Useful for journalism, advocacy, and Consumer Forum context.
• You want CVC's own circulars and procedures (e.g., on how PIDPI works, on inquiry timelines).
• You want to know whether §17A approval has been granted in your case.
• You want CBI's annual statistics — published already on cbi.gov.in but RTI can pull granular numbers.

RTI does NOT help here when (be honest about this):

• You want the investigation file of your complaint while inquiry is ongoing — exempt under §8(1)(h) of the RTI Act 2005 (impedes investigation).
• You want personal details of the accused (his other postings, ACR records, family asset details) — exempt under §8(1)(j) (personal information unrelated to public activity) read with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023.
• You want CBI's intelligence / source-related files — CBI is largely exempt from RTI under §24 read with Schedule II of the RTI Act 2005. Although the Supreme Court in *CBI v Subhash Chandra Agrawal* (2018) 13 SCC 715 and various CIC orders have carved out a narrow exception — allegations of corruption and human rights violations remain disclosable — broad RTI fishing into CBI files is a dead end.
• You want CVC to be forced to file a complaint or to change its closure decision — CVC's quasi-judicial decisions are not reviewable through RTI; that's a writ petition matter.
• You want PIDPI complainant identity — exempt by design to protect whistleblowers.

For very senior public servants and ministers, file in parallel at Lokpal — see How to file a Lokpal / Lokayukta complaint — complete 2026 guide.

Q. Can I file an anonymous complaint with CVC?
Anonymous and pseudonymous complaints are not entertained as a rule (per CVC Office Order No. 99/8/2014). Exceptions: when verifiable documentary evidence is attached. The right path for whistle-blowers is PIDPI Resolution 2004 — a named complaint with identity protected by CVC in a sealed cover.

Q. Will my identity be revealed to the accused?
Under PIDPI, no — your name is held in a sealed cover at CVC, and only an aggregated allegation is shared with the inquiry officer. In ordinary CVC complaints, your identity may be disclosed during inquiry. CBI usually keeps complainants confidential during the verification stage.

Q. The accused is a state IAS officer. Can I file at CBI?
CBI requires either the state government's consent (general or specific) or a court direction to investigate state cadre officers. Several states have withdrawn general consent (e.g., Maharashtra, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh — list as of 2024-25). For these, file at the state's Lokayukta or Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Q. The bribe was demanded by a private contractor working for a government department. Is that PC Act?
Post-2018 amendment, §7A covers any person taking gratification to influence a public servant — not just public servants themselves. So yes, the contractor / middleman can be prosecuted under §7A.

Q. I gave the bribe under coercion. Am I also liable?
The 2018 amendment introduced §8 making bribe-giving an offence. But there is a defence: if you report the bribe-giving within 7 days to a law enforcement agency, you are protected. Speed matters.

Q. CVC closed my complaint as “no prima facie case”. What now?
Get the closure note via RTI (§8(1)(h) doesn't apply once the inquiry is closed). File a fresh complaint with new evidence; OR approach the High Court under Article 226 challenging the closure on grounds of non-application of mind.

Q. Can I record the bribe demand on my phone? Is it legal evidence?
Yes, recording is legal in India when one party (you) consents. To make it admissible, you need a §63 certificate under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (which replaced §65B of the Indian Evidence Act from 1 July 2024) — a self-declaration giving device details, integrity of the recording, etc.

Q. The CVC file says my complaint was forwarded to the CVO. The CVO has done nothing in 6 months. What now?
File RTI with the CVO's office for action-taken status. Escalate to CVC requesting follow-up under §8 of the CVC Act. If still no action, approach the High Court.

Q. Is the Lokpal or CVC better for a corruption complaint against a Union Minister?
Lokpal, clearly — the Lokpal Act 2013 specifically created Lokpal for high-level political and bureaucratic corruption. CVC has no jurisdiction over political functionaries. See How to file a Lokpal complaint for procedure.

• How to file a Lokpal / Lokayukta complaint — complete 2026 guide
• RTI in 12 simple steps — for first-time filers
• All Indian government helplines — one master directory
• RTI forms + state-wise fee chart

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. PC Act and BNSS provisions are still settling post-2024 — verify the latest CVC guidelines on cvc.gov.in or write to admin@bighelpers.in if a section reference looks stale.