JUDGMENT :

1. This is a Criminal Appeal filed by the State, being represented by the Inspector of Police, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Nellore Range, Ongole, Prakasam District, against the judgment in C.C.No.8 of 2001, dated 22.01.2007, on the file of Special Judge for SPE & ACB Cases, Nellore, whereunder the learned Special Judge, found the Accused Officer No.1 (“A.O.1” for short) therein not guilty of the charges under Sections 7 and 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and found the Accused Officer No.2 (“A.O.2” for short) therein not guilty of the charges under Sections 12 and 13 (2) r/w 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and acquitted them under Section 248(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (“Cr.P.C.” for short).

2. The parties to this Criminal Appeal will hereinafter be referred as described before the trial Court for the sake of convenience.

3. The State i.e., Inspector of Police, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Prakasam District, Ongole, filed a charge sheet against the A.Os.1 and 2 in Crime No.1/ACB-NPK/2000 of A.C.B., Nellore Range, alleging in substance is as follows:

(i) Sri Chinthalapati Papaiah (A.O.1), worked as Municipal Commissioner, Ongole, d