SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
K. JAYACHANDRA REDDY AND G. N. RAY, JJ.
Makhan Singh and another
Versus
State of Punjab
Criminal Appeal No. 950 of 1981
Decided on 27-7-1993.
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 - Section 5(2) - Section 5(1)(d) – Indian Penal Code,1860 - Section 161 – Illegal Gratification - Appeal Against conviction - Appellants along with five constables went from Police Station to Village, where they raided house of P.Ws. 1 and 3 in presence of Member, Panchayat - They recovered a bottle of illicit liquor and a big "Dagh" belonging to Gram Panchayat - Appellans threatened P.Ws. 1 and 3 that they would register a case of working still against them and demanded Rs. 2,000/- if they wanted to escape their involvement in such a case - However, amount was settled at Rs. 1,000/ - In the afternoon P.W. 2 son of P.W. 3 who happened to be there went for drawing Rs. 1,200/- from his bank account. P.W. 3 contributed Rs. 300/- and his son P.W. 2 contributed remaining Rs. 700/ - Thus total amount of Rs. 1,000/- was handed over by P.W. 2 to Makhan Singh, accused - A complaint was lodged before P.W. 14 alleging that these appellants accepted illegal gratification - Case was investigated and charge-sheet was laid and inquiry was also initiated – Held, Recovery of "Dagh" and "bottle of illicit liquor" have not been substantiated particularly in view of evidence of some witnesses - This is a question of fact which was found to be proved by both Courts – Court see no grounds to interfere with concurrent findings - Now coming to question of sentence occurrence is said to have taken place in year 1978 and both appellants have admittedly lost their jobs and they have undergone trial for number of years and uptill now they have suffered mental agony for having been convicted and matter being pending - Taking all those circumstances into consideration Court confirm convictions of appellants, reduce substantive sentence under each count to three months rigorous imprisonment and sentence of fine along with default clause - Sentences are directed to run concurrently - Appeal Disposed Of.
JUDGMENT
There are two appellants. They were serving as Head Constables in the Police Station, Dhariwal. They were convicted and sentenced as under by the learned Special Judge, Jullundur.
Makhan Singh Appellant:
(i) R.I. for 2 1/2 years and a fine of Rs. 600/-or in default of payment of fine, further R.I. for three months in respect of offence of criminal misconduct under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, pertaining to head of charge firstly.
(ii) R.I. for one year under Section 161, I.P.C. in respect of head of charge fifthly.
(iii) R.I. for two years and a fine of Rs. 300/- or in default of payment of fine, further R.I. for two months, in respect of offence of criminal misconduct under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, relating to head of charge thirdly.
(iv) R.I. for one year under Section 161, I.P.C. in respect of head of charge seventhly.
(v) R.I. for two years and a fine of Rs. 350/-or in default of payment of fine, further R.I. for two months in respect of offence of criminal misconduct under Section 5(l)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, relating to head of charge fourthly.
(vi) R.I. for one year under Section 161, I.P.C. in respect of head of charge eighthly.
(2) Joginder Singh Appellant:
(i) R.I. for 21/2 years and a fine of Rs. 150/or in default of payment of fine, further R.I. for one month in respect of offence of criminal misconduct u/S. 5(l)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, pertaining to head of charge secondly.
(ii) R.I. for one year under Section 161, with respect to head of charge sixthly.
(iii) R.I. for two years and a fine of Rs. 300/- or in default of payment of fine, further R.I. for two months in respect of the offence of criminal misconduct u/S. 5(l)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act relating to head of charge thirdly.
(iv) R.I. for one year u/S 161, I.P.C., with regard to head of charge senventhly.
(v) R.I. for two years and a fine of Rs. 350/-or in default of payment of fine, further R.I. for two months in respect of offence of criminal misconduct u/S. 5(l)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act relating to head of charge fourthly.
(vi) R. I. for one year u/S. 161,I.P.C., with regard to head of charge eighthly.
2. The substantive sentences of both the appellants to run concurrently.
3. The appeal filed by them was dismissed by the High Court.
4. The prosecution case is as follows:
On 23-5-78 both the appellants along with five constables went from the Police Station to Village Dadowal, where they raided the house of P.Ws. 1 and 3 in the presence of Karnail Singh, Member, Panchayat. They recovered a bottle of illicit liquor and a big "Dagh" belonging to the Gram Panchayat. The appellans threatened P.Ws. 1 and 3 that they would register a case of working still against them and demanded Rs. 2,000/-, if they wanted to escape their involvement in such a case. However, the amount was settled at Rs. 1,000/-. In the afternoon P.W. 2 son of P.W. 3 who happened to be there went for drawing Rs. 1,200/- from his bank account. P.W. 3 contributed Rs. 300/- and his son P.W. 2 contributed remaining Rs. 700/-. Thus the total amount of Rs. 1,000/- was handed over by P.W. 2 to Makhan Singh, accused.
5. On the same day, the appellants raided the house of P.W. 4 in the presence of his brother P.W. 5 and recovered small "drum of Lahan". The second appellant, Joginder Singh, demanded Rs. 400/ - from P.W. 4 as he wanted to escape his involvement in the case of recovery. The amount was settled at Rs. 200/- and the same was handed over by P.W.5 to Joginder Singh.
6. Likewise on the same day, they raided another house belonging to P.W. 6 and there they took bribe. On the same day they raided the house of P.W. 9 and took bribe there also.
7. A complaint was lodged before P.W. 14 alleging that these appellants accepted illegal gratification. The case was in
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