N K SHARMA Vs. ABHIMANYU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Whether a Class I Officer of the State Government (Haryana) deputed to work as Managing Director of a Co-operative Society is entitled to protection under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is in question in this appeal which arises out of a judgment and order dated 14-7-2000 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh.

(2.) The fact of the matter, shorn of all unnecessary details is as under : The Respondent herein was working as Land Valuation Officer under one Dalip Singh, Manager, Primary Agricultural Land Development Bank, Dabwali, a branch office of the Co-operative Society wherein the Appellant was the Managing Director.

(3.) A Veterinary Doctor V.K. Mittal was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau on or about 29-3-1995, allegedly while accepting illegal gratification of Rs.700/- from a farmer. The said doctor made an allegation that out of the said amount of Rs. 700/-, a sum of Rs.400/- was to be paid to the Manager. Dalip Singh, on the basis of the said statement, was arrested. He was later on, however, acquitted.