(b) in the service or pay of a local authority, a corporation established by or under a Central, Provincial or State Act or a Government company as defined in section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956 ).] Illustration A Municipal Commissioner is a public servant. Explanation 1.-- Persons falling under any of the above descriptions are public servants, whether appointed by the Government or not. Explanation 2.-- Wherever the words" public servant" occur, they shall be understood of every person who is in actual possession of the situation of a public servant, whatever legal defect there may be in his right to hold that situation. 3[ Explanation 3.-- The word" election" denotes an election for the purpose of selecting members of any legislative, municipal or other public authority, of whatever character, the method of selection to which is by, or under, any law prescribed as by election.] 4[