BASANNA BHIMASHYA TELI Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has sought for regular bail under section 439 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 in Crime No.1/2020 of respondent - Police Station, registered for the offence punishable under section 7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (hereinafter for brevity referred to as ' P.C. Act ').

(2.) The summary of the case of the prosecution is that on 08.01.2020 the complainant Mahantesh S/o Bhogappa Agasar, filed a complaint alleging that the father of the complainant owns land Sy.No.111/1 measuring 3 acres 12 guntas situated at Warkanalli village, and out of the said land, 1 acre of land was acquired for the purpose of Korwar section Jimmalagi Lift irrigation project by the Special Land Acquisition Officer, Indi in the year 2015. After the acquisition process was completed, the Special Land Acquisition Officer issued notice with regard to compensation amount awarded to the complainant's father. When the complainant approached the office with required documents for release of the compensation amount awarded, the accused/petitioner being the Revenue Officer, demanded Rs. 4,000/- for disbursement of the compensation amount. The complainant not willing to pay the bribe amount, approached the respondent- police. The respondent-police, based on the complaint, registered a case in Crime No.1/2020 under section 7(a) of P.C. Act. The respondent-police, after registering the case in Crime No.1/2020, conducted trap successfully by securing the panch witnesses.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner, in his argument, submitted that the investigation is at the verge of completion and the Investigating Officer has already recorded the statement of all important and material witnesses, as such, continuation of the accused in judicial custody is not warranted.