STATE OF H.P. Vs. SANTOKH SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE State challenges the acquittal of the respondent, who was charge -sheeted along with late Ramesh Chaudhary for offences under Sections 465, 467, 471, 120 -B of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter 'IPC') and Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

(2.) BEFORE we advert to the facts, we note that there were two accused late Ramesh Chaudhary and the respondent herein. Ramesh Chaudhary died during the trial and the second respondent was acquitted by the learned trial Court holding that there was no evidence on record to show that he had connived/knowledge about the fact that the property was evacuee property and could not be sold/transferred by the State.

(3.) IT is this unsatisfactory state of evidence which we are dealing with in this case, which evidence is urged, was sufficient to convict the respondent. Learned trial Court holds that the land in question was in fact purchased by this respondent, but there is no evidence that he was aware about any defects in the title/authority of the deceased to transfer this land.