JUDGMENT

The conviction of the appellant is for offence under S. 5(1)(d) read with S. 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 (the Act) read with S. 161 of the Indian Penal Code. The allegation against the appellant was that he was a lineman in the Maharashtra State Electricity Board and also did the work of meter readings of the electricity consumed. The complainant had installed an electric motor and a pumpset in his field. The appellant used to visit the complainant. The complainant, in March 1975, received an electricity bill from the Electricity Board for a sum of Rs. 651.91 for the consumption of 1129 units. This bill appeared to be excessive to the complainant. On 13-5-1975, the appellant approached the complainant and at that time the complainant asked him as to why the bill for the month of March was so excessive. The appellant-accused then demanded from the complainant a sum of Rs. 200/ - and promised that in future he would not get excessive bills. The complainant told the appellant that he did not have money at that time; however, he would pay the same afterwards. The accused then told the complainant that he was going out of town to Bhusawal for a marriage on. 18