GULAB SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is seeking the concession of regular bail in FIR No.35 dtd. 24/12/2024 under Ss. 7, 7-A of The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, registered at Police Station Vigilance Bureau Range Ferozepur.

(2.) Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case, which pertains to allegations of misconduct in his capacity as the Returning Officer during the Panchayat elections held in October 2024. It is submitted that the allegations against the petitioner, as set out in the FIR (Annexure P-1), do not disclose the essential ingredients necessary to invoke the provisions of the PC Act. Specifically, it is argued that there is no categorical assertion in the FIR regarding any demand or acceptance of illegal gratification by the petitioner. Furthermore, there has been no recovery of any bribe amount from the petitioner to substantiate the charges against him under the PC Act.

(3.) Learned counsel further submits that the entire case hinges solely on the statement of the complainant, which upon close scrutiny, lacks material particulars such as date, time and specific location of the alleged transaction. This, as per the learned counsel, renders the allegations vague and unsubstantiated.