SIDDAPPA H. KALLER Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Crl.P.No.506/2018 is filed by the petitioner namely Siddappa H.Kalleri who is arraigned as accused No.1 in Special Case No.35/2015 challenging the order dated 26.02.2018 passed by the Prl.District and Sessions Judge and Special Judge at Chikkamagaluru on an application filed by him under Section 227 Cr.P.C seeking discharge from the offences punishable under Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

(2.) Crl.P.No.6664/2017 is filed by the petitioner namely K.Chandregowda who is arraigned as accused No.2 seeking to quash the entire proceedings in Special Case No.35/2015 on the file of Prl.District and Sessions Judge, Chikkamagaluru.

(3.) The factual matrix of these petitions is that in the after noon of 17.7.2014, the PSI of Lokayukta Police, Chikmagaluru received a credible information to the effect that accused No.1 who was incharge of RTO Chikmagalur had been accepting bribe from mediator - accused No.2 who was working in the said office as D-group employee. At the time of raid, respondent police found an amount of Rs.30,380/- which was in the possession of accused No.2. On enquiry he disclosed that as per the direction of accused No.1, he has been collecting the amount from the public for the signature of accused No.1 who was signing on forms in respect of transfer of ownership of vehicles, registration of new vehicles, permit for installing gas, Bus route permit, Driver's license etc. When they raided the RTO Office, accused No.1 was not found in the office and they had information that after getting information regarding the raid by Lokayukta Police, Accused No.1 left the office. The police inspector of Lokayukta apprehended accused No.2 and also seized the bribe amount of Rs.30,380/- in denomination of Rs.1000, 500, 100, 20 and 10 as depicted in the mahazar.