GURNAM SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellant has preferred this appeal challenging his conviction and sentence for commission of offence punishable under Section 7 and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (for short 'the Act') as ordered by the trial Court vide judgment/ order dated 4/7.6.2004 in FIR No. 69 dated 5.12.2000 registered at Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Jalandhar.

(2.) Prosecution story, in brief, is that complainant Sukhwinder Singh had taken four kanals of land on lease from Punjab Wakf Board ( 'Wakf Board' for short) in the year 1995. Complainant had moved an application before the Wakf Board for demarcation of the land. The Estate Officer of the Wakf Board on 8.8.2000 moved an application to the Tehsildar for demarcation of the land. The said application was marked to Field Kanungo on 14.8.2000. On 22.11.2000, appellant visited the spot for the purposes of demarcation. However, demarcation report was not supplied to the complainant. On 4.12.2000, complainant again approached the appellant to supply him copy of the demarcation report. However, appellant raised a demand of Rs. 3,000/- from the complainant for doing the needful. The deal was settled at Rs. 2,000/-. On 5.12.2000, complainant along with Pardip Kumar approached the Vigilance Bureau. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP for short) Amrik Singh recorded the statement of the complainant and on the basis of the same, formal FIR was registered. A raid was organised.

(3.) Complainant handed over two currency notes in the denomination of Rs. 500/- and ten currency notes in the denomination of Rs. 100/- each to the DSP, who, in turn, returned the same to the complainant after application of Phenol Phthalein Powder (P-Powder for short).