SIDDAPPA M. POOJARI Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is preferred against a judgment of conviction and sentence of rigorous imprisonment for a period of three years and a fine of Rs. 65.88 lakhs for an offence punishable under Sec. 13(1)(e) read with Sec. 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Hereinafter referred to as the 'PC Act', for brevity), passed against the appellant.

(2.) The case of the prosecution was that the appellant was working as an Assistant Conservation Officer of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Mysore. On allegations of the appellant having amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income, and on the basis of a Source report, for a check period from 21-8-1986 to 15-11-1995, a case is said to have been registered in Crime No.20/1995 by the Lokayukta Police. A search warrant is said to have been obtained from the court below by the said police, to conduct a search of premises bearing No.703, Ward No.4, Madarageri, as also premises No.718 of the same area in Hiremasalli, Indi Taluk, Bijapur District. And after the search, many articles and documents were said to have been seized and on the basis of the same, it was alleged that the appellant had amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income, exceeding the same by about 190%.

(3.) The learned Counsel for the appellant would point out that the following are the particulars of the disputed expenditure, disputed income and the disputed assets, attributed to the petitioner. It is also sought to be pointed out that the difference of the respective amounts as ultimately found by the trial court with reference to the above. The same is reproduced hereunder in tabular form.