(1.) Third accused in Crime No.45/2014 pending on the file of XXIII Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, Bangalore, has come up in this petition seeking quashing of the aforesaid complaint, which is registered with Sadashivanagar Police Station.
(2.) Compliant in the aforesaid crime number is lodged by second respondent herein, who is said to be a sitting Minister of Karnataka State. The complaint is lodged by him against petitioner and two others for the alleged offence punishable under Sections 9 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The contents of complaint dated 10.03.2014, at Annexure-A, would disclose that two persons claiming themselves to be representatives of London based company, namely M/s. Energo Power company came along with one Sri.Subhash Balaji to meet the complainant and said to have stated that said company wanted to start electricity generating unit in the State of Karnataka, for which they wanted his help and cooperation. It is also stated by him that he felt their behaviour appeared to be suspicious. Hence, informed the higher police officials about their visit and instructed them to keep a watch on them and also to be present when they come back to visit him again. It is stated that at about 4.30 p.m., said representatives again came back to meet him and in that meeting in anticipation of cooperation and help from him to set up the unit, they offered to pay money to him in the form of bribe. At that time, the police officers who were waiting outside, were called in and the offer of bribe made by them was informed to the police and they were handed over to the police who were waiting outside.
(3.) It is stated that when police enquired about their antecedents and on whose behalf they have come to do this act, it is stated that they admitted that they are the representatives of TV 9 news channel and their name is Smt.Shwetha Prabhu and Sri.Shreyas. It is also stated that they informed the complainant and police that TV 9 news channel Director Sri.Mahendra Mishra had directed them to offer bribe to the Minister and to trap him. The complainant being faced with this has filed the aforesaid complaint which is registered in Crime No.45/2014 by Sadashivanagara Police for offences punishable under Sections 9 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.