1. This appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 23rd July, 2003 passed by the Special Judge, Kolhapur, in Special Case No. 8 of 1999, convicting the appellant, who was the sole accused in the said case, of the offences punishable under Sections 7 and Section 13(2) r/w Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The learned Special Judge sentenced the appellant to suffer R.I. for one year and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000/- with respect to the offence punishable under Section 7 and to suffer R.I. for two years and to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000/- with respect to the offence punishable under Sections 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. (Hereinafter referred to as "the said Act", or “the P.C. Act”). The learned Special Judge imposed default sentences in the event of failure to pay the amount of fine. The substantive sentences were directed to run concurrently.

The appellant (Hereinafter referred to as "the accused" for the sake of convenience), being aggrieved by the said order of conviction and sentences, has approached this Court.

2. The case of the prosecution as revealed from the column no. 16 of the prescribed proforma