1. The appellant and one Shrikant Kulkarni were prosecuted on the allegation that they had committed offences punishable under section 7 and section 13(2) read with section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The learned Special Judge at Sangli, by a judgment and order dated 12th July 2001 convicted the appellant of the said offences and imposed a composite sentence of Rigorous Imprisonment for 1 ½ year and a fine of Rs.100/- with a default sentence on him. He, however, held that the charges against the said Shrikant Kulkarni (Accused no.2) had not been proved and acquitted him. Being aggrieved by his conviction and the sentence imposed upon him by the learned Special Judge, the appellant has approached this Court by filing the present Appeal.

2. The appellant, at the material time, was working as a Maintenance Supervisor in the office of the Taluka Inspector of Land Records, Miraj.

3. The prosecution case, as put forth before the trial court, may be stated thus :

One Shirish Kabnure had, on 14th November 1006, purchased a certain land bearing Gram Panchayat No.1126 and City Survey No.339 from one Tukaram Sakharam Omashe. After purchasing the land, Kabnure (h