(1) No Government servant shall, except with the previous sanction of the
Government, have recourse to any Court or to the Press for the vindication
of any official act which has been the subject-matter of adverse criticism
or an attack of a defamatory character.
Provided that if no such sanction is received by the Government servant
within a period of three months from the date of receipt of his request by
the Government, he shall be free to assume that the permission as sought for
has been granted to him.
(2) Nothing in this rule shall be deemed to prohibit a Government servant from vindicating his private character or any act done by him in his private capacity and where any action for vindicating his private character or any act done by him in private capacity is taken, the Government servant shall submit a report to the prescribed authority regarding such action.
Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964
Rule 1 Short Title, Commencement and Application
Rule 4 Employment of Near Relatives of Government Servants in Companies or Firms
Rule 5 Taking part in politics and elections
Rule 6 Joining of associations by government servants
Rule 7 Demonstration and strikes
Rule 8 Connection with press or other media
Rule 9 Criticism of government
Rule 10 Evidence before committee or any other authority
Rule 11 Unauthorised communication of information
Rule 14 Public demonstrations in honour of government servants
Rule 15 Private trade or employment
Rule 16 Investment, lending and borrowing
Rule 17 Insolvency and habitual indebtedness
Rule 18 Movable, immovable and valuable property
Rule 19 Vindication of acts and character of government servant
Rule 20 Canvassing of non-official or other outside influence
Rule 21 Restriction regarding marriage