AMRIT LAL Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE appellant has filed the present appeal for challenging the judgment and order dated 5.10.2002 passed by Special Judge, Patiala, whereby he was convicted under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and sentenced to undergo RI for two years and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/-. In default of payment of fine, he was ordered to undergo further RI for three months.

(2.) FACTS giving rise to the case are that the appellant was posted as a Canal Patwari. Complainant Chander Bhan PW-4 used to share turn of canal water with Singh Ram and Teja Ram. He filed an application before the Ziledar for fixing of his turn of canal water. The applications moved by him were marked to the appellant, who demanded a sum of Rs. 1,000/- from him for making a report in favour of the complainant. The amount was finally settled at Rs. 700/-. The complainant talked to his cousin Sat Pal PW-5 regarding the demand of bribe made by the accused.

(3.) THEREAFTER , the raiding party went to the house of the accused. Complainant Chander Bhan and his cousin Sat Pal entered the house of the accused, whereas the remaining members of the raiding party stayed behind. The accused asked the complainant, if he had brought the amount. Upon this, the complainant handed over the tainted currency notes of Rs. 700/- to the accused. On receipt of a signal from Sat Pal, the shadow witness, DSP Gurmukh Singh along with other members of the party arrived at the scene. The tainted money was recovered from underneath the leg of the accused. The number of the currency notes tallied with the numbers mentioned in the memo Ex. PF. These currency notes were taken into possession. The shirt of the accused was dipped in a solution of sodium carbonate prepared in a glass of water and the colour turned pink. The said solution was put in a nip and sealed and taken into possession. Shirt was also made a parcel and taken into possession. The hands of the accused were dipped in the glass of water containing Sodium Carbonate. This time again the colour turned pink. The solution was put in a nip and sealed. The applications Ex. PC and PD submitted by complainant Chander Bhan for allotment of turn of canal water were also recovered vide memo Ex. PM. The statements of the witnesses were recorded. After obtaining sanction Ex. PN, final report under Section 173 Cr.P.C. was submitted.