Sanjay Kishan Kaul, J.

1. The common thread that weaves through the present petitions is the aspect of criminal culpability of persons undertaking "sting" operations under the Indian Penal Code (IPC for short) and the Prevention of Corruption Act (hereinafter referred to as the said Act). The said revision petitions are filed against the order on framing charges.

2. On 05-11-2003, M/s. Dilip Singh Judeo (accused No. 1), the then Union Minister of State for Environment & Forests allegedly received illegal gratification in the sum of Rs. Nine lacs in the presence of his Additional Private Secretary (APS), Shri Natwar Rateria (accused No. 2) from one Shri Bhupinder Singh Patel @ Rahul (accused No. 3) as consideration for future favours with regard to certain mining projects in the states of Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa. The said incident had been secretly video recorded by accused No. 3 and one Shri Arvind Vijaymohan (accused No. 4) acquainted with accused No. 3 who arranged for the video recording equipment. This incident came to be widely reported and publicized in print and visual media.

3. After conducting a preliminary enquiry, the respondent registered a case agai