JUDGMENT

V.S. Sirpurkar, J. —

1. In this Appeal, the judgment of the High Court, allowing the appeal of the respondent herein and acquitting him of the offence punishable under Section 13 (1) (d) read with Section 13 (2) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (hereinafter called “the Act” for short) is in challenge, at the instance of the State.

2. The respondent, at the relevant time, was working as a Senior Engineer in MIDHANI at Hyderabad during the year 1998. One Preetpal Singh Sodhi of M/s Hardeep Industries was awarded a contract for the construction of Structural Steel Sheds for VSSC stores at MIDHANI. He was accordingly informed to contact the respondent-accused for preparation of detailed programme of work schedule, as also for signing the original agreement. Accordingly, he met the respondent-accused and requested him to prepare a detailed programme of work schedule for enabling him to sign the agreement. This was in the last week of May, 1998. The respondent-accused demanded a bribe of Rs.50,000/- or at least to pay Rs.5,000/- as first installment by 27.5.1998, failing which the respondent-accused showed his reluctance to prepare the detailed programme of work