SATPAL SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal is filed against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 25.2.2014 handed down by Special Judge, Gurdaspur against the appellant in FIR No. 11 dated 14.6.2011 registered under Sections 7 and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Act for short) in Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Amritsar.

(2.) THE case against the appellant was that on 14.6.2011, complainant Harjit Singh went to the police and made a statement on 8.6.2011 that he had gone to the complainant to get mutation entered in the revenue record regarding a mortgage deed, which was in favour of the complainant but the appellant, who was Patwari, demanded Rs. 3000/ - as illegal gratification. The matter was settled at Rs. 2000/ - as the appellant was not ready to make the entry unless his palm was greased. He called the complainant in the office on 14.6.2011.

(3.) FOUR currency notes of the denominations of Rs. 500/ - each were given to the complainant after smearing those with phenolphthalein powder and noting down the numbers by way of a memo. After completing the formalities and nominating father of the complainant as a shadow witness, raid was conducted. The complainant had handed over the money to the appellant and on signal received from the shadow witness, the appellant was apprehended. The currency notes were recovered from the pocket of his shirt. The pocket of the shirt was dipped in sodium carbonate solution and it turned pink. Copy of the mortgage deed, which had been handed over to the appellant at the time of making the deal, was also recovered.