VEERARAGHAVAN Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) VEERARAGHAVAN, who was working as Junior Engineer in the Electricity Board, was convicted for the offences under Secs.7 and 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for having demanded and received Rs.400 for registering the application of one Boopathy Naidu in the readiness register on 17.12.1991 at his residence by ante-dating the entry as 12.12.1991. Challenging the same, he has filed this appeal.

(2.) THE short facts leading to the conviction are summarised as follows:

(3.) ON the other hand, it is the case of the accused that P.W.2 gave the amount of Rs.400 only for the purpose of purchasing the materials which are essential for giving service connection to the motor pump set installed in the well situate in the land. Though this defence plea has not been substantiated by adducing defence evidence through oral and documentary, it is settled that the said plea can be taken into consideration, if the materials which are already available on record placed by the prosecution would establish such a plea.