The background of the case involves Dr. Subramanian Swamy against Dr. Manmohan Singh and another public servant, Dr. A. Raja, for their role in the arbitrary and illegal grant of ... licences for 2G mobile services. Dr. Swamy had requested sanction for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The Court examined whether a citizen can file a complaint against a public servant and if the competent authority is required to make a decision within a specified time. The Court concluded that the appellant had the right to file a complaint and that the competent authority should take appropriate action on such complaints. However, since the Court of Special Judge, CBI had already taken cognizance of the offences allegedly committed by Dr. Raja, no further direction was given in the matter.