RANJIT SINGH Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These two connected appeals have been filed by two persons, Ranjit Singh and Pratap Singh, who have been convicted by the learned Special Judge, Hamirpur at Orai under Section 161, I. P. C. and Section 5, Prevention of Corruption Act, 1047. Ranjit Singh has been sentenced to imprisonment for two years and a fine of Rs. 200/- under Section 161, I. P. C. He has been sentenced to imprisonment for two years under Section 5, Prevention of Corruption Act. Pratap Singh has been sentenced to imprisonment for one year and a fine of Rs. 100/- under Section 101, I. P. C. He has been sentenced to imprisonment for one year under Section 5, Prevention of Corruption Act. The sentences passed upon each accused have been ordered to run concurrently.

(2.) According to the prosecution, Ajodhya Prasad Dube had Sir and Kliudkasht land in village Gaor. His Mukhtaram Badri Dayal used to look alter this cultivation, Ranjit Singh was the canal Amin, and Pratap Singh was the canal Patrol in this circle. On 27-3-1953 Badri Dayal approached Pratap Singh Patrol for irrigation slips in Ajodhya Prasad's name. There was a dispute between Ajodhya Prasad and certain Chamars about possession over the land in village Gaor. Pratap Singh Patrol informed Badri Dayal that, Chamars were willing to pay Rs. 400/. Pratap Singh inquired from Badri Dayal as to how much he was prepared to pay to obtain irrigation slips in Ajodhya Prasad's name. At first Badri Dayal was unwilling to pay anything as a bribe. Pratap Singh suggested to Badri Dayal that he might pay Rs. 200/- to obtain the necessary irrigation slips. Badri Dayal replied that he would give his final answer after consulting his master Ajodhya Prasad. Badri Dayal informed Ajodhya Prasad about the demand made by Pratap Singh Patrol for the bribe. Ajodhya Prasad conveyed the information to the District Magistrate and the Executive Engineer The District Magistrate directed that a trap should be laid for catching the Amin and the canal Patrol. Sri Ram Chandra Sharma, S. D. M. Jalaun, was ordered to lay a trap. Ajodhya Prasad produced Rs. 250 in ten-rupee notes. These 25 currency notes were marked and initialled by the Magistrate, Sri Rani Chandra Sharma. The notes were then returned to Ajodhya Prasad.

(3.) On 28-3-1953 Ajodhya Prasad and Badri Dayal went to village Narainpura, where the Amin and the Patrol were working. Eadri Dayul paid Ranjit Singh Amin Rs. 175 in currency notes. Badri Dayal paid a sum of Rs. 15 to Pratap Singh canal Patrol, After a few minutes Sri Ram Chandra Sharma Magistrate appeared at the place where the two accused were working. The Magistrate searched the persons of the two accused. A sum of Rs. 175 was recovered from Ranjit Singh's possession. A good deal of money including Rs. 15 received as bribe was recovered from Pratap Singh's possession. After investigation the two accused were prosecuted under Section 161, I. P. C. and Section 5, Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 for bribery and criminal misconduct in the discharge of duty as public servants.