The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday slammed Maharashtra cabinet's decision to amend the Criminal Procedure Code, which makes it mandatory for magistrates to check if a prior sanction from authority has been obtained before ordering probe against public servants.

"We are shocked by this decision....We have seen the manner in which permission for probe was denied by the Assembly Speaker in the disproportionate assets case against (former MLA) Kripashankar Singh," the party's state unit said.

"This is an attack on the basic tenet of the Constitution, which is equality before the law, and we will oppose this tooth and nail," they said in a statement.

Subhash Ware, convenor, AAP Maharashtra, said, "We are going to challenge this decision in the court. The law is meant to provide justice to those who have been wronged and this is nothing but an attempt to provide immunity to criminals holding political offices."

Under the proposed amendment to the sections (156) (3) and 190 (1) (G) of CrPC, police won't be able to file FIR against an MLA or a bureaucrat even if directed by a court of law, the statement said.

"Each FIR will need prior sanction of the Speaker in case of the former and of the chief secretary in the case of latter. This will also be applicable to elected representatives of local bodies, namely, Panchayats, zilla parishads, municipalities and municipal Corporations," it pointed out.