THEJAS KUMAR Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition is filed by petitioner/accused No.1 under Section 439 of Cr.P.C., for granting bail in Crime No.39/2021 registered by Anti-Corruption Bureau Police for the offence punishable under Sections 7(a) and 12 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.

(2.) Heard Sri. Ashok Harnalli, learned Senior counsel for the petitioner and Sri. Manmohan P.N, learned Special Public Prosecutor appearing for State - Anti Corruption Bureau.

(3.) The case of the prosecution is that on 20.09.2021, the complaint was filed by Mr. A. Nataraj to the respondent - Police alleging that the petitioner being working as a Special Land Acquisition Officer, KIADB, Bengaluru said to have demanded a sum of Rupees Thirteen Lakhs for the purpose of releasing the compensation awarded to the complainant in respect of land acquisition in Sy.No.40/p63 measuring 27 guntas and Sy.No.76/p5 measuring 30 guntas of land. The complainant is said to have paid a sum of Rs.10,50,000/- to accused No.2. Accused No.2 is said to be the nephew of accused No.1. The complainant was demanded balance amount of Rs.2,50,000/- and additional bribe amount and since the complainant was not willing to pay the remaining amount of Rs.2,50,000/-, he has lodged the complaint. On 21.09.2021 a trap was laid by the police along with panchas. The complainant is said to have went to the chamber of the accused-petitioner with cash of Rs.2,00,000/- and the petitioner is said to have asked the complainant to pay a cash of Rs.2,00,000/- to accused No.3, who is the Manager of KIADB and the amount was paid to accused No.3. The Police trapped accused No.3 and seized the cash and accused Nos.1 and 3 were taken into the custody and were remanded to judicial custody. The petitioner has approached the Sessions Court for grant of bail, which came to be rejected. Hence, he is before this Court.