R.P. Dholaria, J.

1. The appellant has preferred the present appeal under section 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 against the judgment and order of conviction dated 19.1.2004 rendered by learned Special Judge, Amreli in Special Case No. 97 of 2001.

2. Today, when the matter is called out, it is pointed out by Mr. Panchal, learned senior advocate that the appellant - original accused has died on 23.11.2005 and his heirs and legal representatives have been brought on record vide order dated 16.12.2005 passed by this Court in Criminal Misc. Application No. 14738 of 2005 and hence, the present Criminal Appeal is continued and pending for final disposal.

3. The short facts giving rise to the present appeal are that accused No. 1 demanded illegal gratification of Rs. 1500/- for running two stage carriage buses of the complainant from Savarkundla to Ahmedabad. It is alleged that as the complainant was not willing to pay the bribe amount, he lodged the complaint. It is the case of the prosecution that in pursuance of the complaint, on 23.8.1996 around at 19.30 hours, the trap was carried out and during the trap, tainted currency notes were found and thereby the accused h