JUDGMENT

M.R. Shah, J.

Leave granted.

2. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order dated 23.11.2018 passed by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court in Criminal Appeal (MD) No. 357 of 2008, by which the High Court has dismissed the said appeal preferred by the appellant herein - original accused and has confirmed the judgment and order of conviction and sentence passed by the learned Special Judge-cum-Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thoothukudi dated 23.07.2008 passed in Special Case No.2 of 2004, convicting the accused - appellant herein for the offences under Sections 7, 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and by which the learned Special Judge sentenced the accused to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years with fine of Rs.5,000/-, the original accused has preferred the present appeal.

3. At the outset, it is required to be noted that earlier by order dated 02.12.2019, this Court issued the limited notice on quantum of sentence only. Meaning thereby the conviction of the appellant - original accused came to be confirmed by this Court. Therefore, now the present appeal is required to be considered qua the qua