RAVI KUMAR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE present appeal has been filed to challenge judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 11.11.2005 passed by Judge, Special Court, Jalandhar, whereby, accused -appellant has been convicted for offence punishable under Section 13(e) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act') and sentenced to undergo RI for a period of two years and to pay a fine of Rs. 3000/ - and in default of payment of fine, the accused was further ordered to undergo RI for a period of three months. The period of detention already undergone by accused -appellant during period of investigation and trial was ordered to be set off.

(2.) BRIEFLY , the facts as per the prosecution version are that the accused -appellant while working as Junior Engineer in Public Health Department, Punjab Government amassed wealth to the tune of Rs. 2,91,424/ - which was disproportionate to his known sources of income. Accordingly, charge under Sections 7 and 13 of the Act was framed against him, to which, he pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

(3.) ON closure of prosecution evidence, the statement of accused - appellant was recorded under Section 313 Cr.P.C., wherein, he denied all the allegations and pleaded innocence. It was the stand of the accused - appellant that he had not spent more than his income and had already informed the Department about the details of his income as well as expenditure. All documents and affidavits about known sources of his income were also submitted by him. It was also his stand that he had falsely been implicated in the case.