JUDGMENT :

SANDEEP K. SHINDE, J.

1. Appellant, a peon in the Thane District Court, was found and held, guilty for demanding and accepting Rs.300/- as illegal gratification for supplying certified copies of the judgment to the complainant. Thus, for offences punishable under Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, he was sentenced to suffer simple imprisonment for one year and fine of Rs.1,000/-; and simple imprisonment for six months and fine of Rs.1,000/-; respectively.

2. Mr. Tapan, complainant in this case, was prosecuted and tried in Criminal Case No. 3629/2004. He was acquitted by the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class on 31st January, 2008. After pronouncing the judgment in the open Court on 31st January, 2008, complainant applied for certified copies, on the same day, vide Application No. 161/2008 dated 31st January, 2008. The complainant paid copying charges and copies were to be delivered/supplied on 4th February, 2008.

3. It is unfolded in the evidence that, though the judgment was delivered in the open Court on 31st January, 2008, Pradeep Narvekar, stenographer typed the judgment on 3rd February, 2008.

4. Complainant deposed,