CHARAN SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) APPELLANT had faced the trial in FIR No. 152 dated 14.12.1995 under Section 8 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 ('Act' for short) read with Section 109 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC for short), registered at Police Station Kotwali, Kapurthala. I have heard the learned counsel for the appellant and the learned State counsel and have gone through the record available on the file carefully.

(2.) PW -3 Manju Rana, Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) deposed that on 6.11.1995, she was posted as Sub Judge, Ist Class, Kapurthala. At about 1.00 P.M., she called civil suit titled 'Charan Singh versus Kishan Chander'. Appellant Charan Singh came inside the Court and disclosed that Surinder Singh Bhatia had taken Rs. 23,500/ - from him for getting the case decided in his favour. Both Charan Singh and Surinder Singh were present in the Court. Surinder Singh Bhatia, who was standing in front of the door of the Court room, was called inside the Court room. Surinder Singh Bhatia admitted before the witness that he had taken Rs. 23,500/ - from the appellant and returned Rs. 20,000/ - to the appellant in the presence of Reader Darshan Lal, Subhash Chand Public Prosecutor, Mr. Kahlon, Public Prosecutor, Avtar Singh, Peon, Prem Kumar, Peon and Assistant Sub Inspector Gurdeep Singh. With regard to Rs. 3500/ -, Surinder Singh Bhatia stated that he would return the said amount to the appellant in the village. Appellant gave in writing to the witness that money had been taken from him by Surinder Singh and also with regard to return of the amount of Rs. 20,000/ - to him by Surinder Singh Bhatia. Witnesses proved the relevant documents in this regard. Statement of PW -3 was duly corroborated by PW -4 Paramjit Singh Kahlon and PW -6 Darshan Lal, Reader.

(3.) ACCUSED examined three witnesses in their defence.