AMAR LAL Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) FEELING that he has been wrongly convicted by Shri Birinder Singh, the then Special Judge. Ferozepur vide judgment dated 5.6.2007 and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 1-1/2 years and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/- vide separate order of even date, the appellant has filed this appeal and laid a challenge to the said judgment/order.

(2.) THE factual matrix of the prosecution case is that the land of complainant Surjit Singh was acquired by the Government for which he was to be paid compensation. On coming to know that the cheque for compensation has been received in the office of SDM, Abohar, he visited that office. Accused Amar Lal was posted as a dealing hand in that office. The complainant contacted the accused who was to disburse the cheque for amount of compensation to him. The accused demanded Rs. 1,000/- as illegal gratification for disbursing the cheque to the complainant but on request of the accused, the matter was settled at Rs. 500/-. The accused told the complainant to come on the next day with Rs. 500/-. The complainant was not prepared to give illegal gratification to the accused.

(3.) CHARGE for the offence under Section 7.13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (in short the Act) was framed against the accused to which he pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.