( 1. ) THE State through Lokayuktha calls in question the acquittal of the respondent-accused by the trial Court in respect of the offence punishable under Sections 7, 13 (l) (d) read with 13 (2) of the prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

( 2. ) THE case of the prosecution in brief is to the effect that the respondent herein, while working as the Food Inspector, Srirangapatna town, demanded and accepted Rs. 500/- as illegal gratification from complainant Govindaraja for doing an official favour in the form of enabling the complainant to secure the licence as a kerosene dealer as the accused was required to forward the application.

Based on the complaint lodged by P.W. 1 Govindaraja with the lokayuktha Police as per Ex. P-2, the entrustment mahazar was conducted and thereafter, the complainant, accompanied by the shadow witnesses and the trap officials, went to the place of the accused and it is alleged that the accused demanded and accepted the illegal gratification in the form of Rs. 500/- from the complainant in order to forward the application of the complainant towards securing the licence as a kerosene dealer.

( 3. ) THE trap mahazar was drawn as per Ex. P-10 and, as t