MUMBAI: In a far-reaching and controversial decision, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday amended a provision of the Criminal Procedure Code to prevent filing of an FIR against a ' public representative ' without the sanction of a competent authority.With the amendments to the CrPC (156) (3) and 190 provisions, police won't be able to file an FIR against an MLA or a bureaucrat, even if so directed by a court, without the sanction of the speaker of the Assembly in case of the former and of the chief secretary in case of the latter. The decision is also applicable to elected representatives of panchayats and municipalities.The state government said the move was intended to protect government servants and elected representatives from frivolous, politically motivated cases and public interest litigations (PILs). “In many such cases, the complaints were found to be false and totally bereft of truth. However, those who are doing their work honestly get harassed...which prevents them from doing their work," an official said.Government officials claimed the amendments are in line with the 2013 Supreme Court order in the Anil Kumar vs MK Ayappa case.However, legal experts slammed the move, saying it was a wrong interpretation of the apex court's orders.“This decision is legally incorrect.The Supreme Court prohibited filing of a complaint in the court without sanction of the competent authority under section 19 of the Act.However, this does not restrict filing of an FIR, which is necessary to start an investigation. This is just putting the cart before the horse. To seek sanction, you need evidence, and evidence can only be collected if an FIR is filed," said former IPS officer-turned-lawyer YP Singh.Santosh Tiwari, on whose PIL the Bombay High Court had ordered the Mumbai Police to register an FIR against former congress MLA Kripashankar Singh in a disproportionate assets case, said that he was shocked at the decision.“They are clearly trying to shield both government servants as well as elected members. This will make it harder for government servants and public representatives to be made accountable," said Tiwari.