S.B. Shukre, J.

1. This is an appeal preferred against the judgment and order dated 12th January, 2006, passed by the Special Judge Amravati, in Special (ACB) Case No.3/1992, thereby acquitting the respondent of the offences punishable under Sections 7 and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

2. In the year 1991, the respondent was serving as a Talathi and was residing at Warud, Tq. Warud, District Amravati. He was also running his office from his residence. The complainant, Namdeo Mahadeorao Bopchi, a resident of village Rajara Bazar, Tq. Warud, District Amravati was interested in getting the land bearing Survey No.9/2, admeasuring 1½ acres mutated in his name and in the name of his brother, as the same was purchased by the complainant and his brother from their neighbour, Chhatrapati Wankhade. The land was purchased about 4 years prior to lodging of the complaint in the instant case. The complaint was lodged on 2nd May 1991. Around the same time as the purchase of the land, the complainant had approached the respondent along with one Vitthalrao Punjabrao Bahurupi with a request for taking a mutation entry in respect of the said land in revenue record in his ow