STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Vs. GANGARAM BABURAO JAGTAP

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal impugning an order and judgment dated 19th October 2004 passed by the Special Judge for Anti Corruption, Satara, acquitting respondent (accused) of offences punishable under Section 7 (Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act), Section 13 (1) (d) read with Section 13 (2) of Prevention of Corruption Act , 1988 (PC Act ).

(2.) Complainant Ramchandra Dadasaheb Shinde (PW-1) had purchased some agricultural land. After about 8-9 months, further agricultural land was purchased in his brother's name. A week thereafter, PW-1 gave a photocopy of the sale deed and relevant documents to accused, who was the Talathi of the village Venegaon and requested him to mutate the name of his younger brother in 7/12 register. Accused, however, avoided doing the same on one ground or the other and on 16 th October 1999, when PW-1 met him, accused told him that he has to give Rs.1000/- on 20th October 1999 at Tahasil office, Satara. PW-1 realised that unless the bribe amount was given, the work will not be done and therefore, decided to approach the Anti Corruption Bureau (A.C.B.). PW-1 then lodged the complaint with PW-4 - Vidhyadhar Shete, the Investigating Officer and after complying with the pre-trap formalities, the A.C.B. office, Satara, decided to trap accused on 20th October 1999. Complainant and PW-3, the panch witness, met accused on 20th October 1999 and complainant gave Rs.1000/- tainted currency to accused, who accepted it with his right hand and put it in his pocket on the right side of his pant. Thereafter, PW-1 gave the agreed signal, the raiding team swooped and PW-4 caught the wrist of accused. Under ultraviolet light, the hand of accused was examined and so also the pocket and anthracene marks were found. Post-trap panchnama was prepared, investigation commenced and after obtaining sanction from the Sub Divisional Officer - Kanhuraj Harichandra Bagate (PW-2), complaint was filed. Once the further investigation was over and statements were recorded, chargesheet was filed and accused pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.

(3.) To prove its case, prosecution led evidence of four witnesses as against 16 witnesses listed in the chargesheet. No independent witness was examined. The four witnesses are Ramchandra Dadasaheb Shinde, complainant (PW-1); Kanhuraj Harichandra Bagate, Sub Divisional Officer (PW-2); Sambhaji Bhausaheb Budhawale, panch witness (PW-3); and Vidhyadhar Bharma Shete, Investigating Officer (PW-4).