JUDGMENT :

AJIT BORTHAKUR, J.

Heard Mr. D. Das, learned Sr. Counsel appearing for the accused petitioner. Also heard Mr. M. Phukan, learned Public Prosecutor, Assam for the state respondent.

2. This petition under Sec. 439 Cr. P.C. is filed by the accused Shri Rakesh Kumar Paul, the then Chairman, Assam Public Service Commission ('A.P.S.C.' for short), seeking his release on bail in connection with Special Case No. 5/2017 corresponding to Bhangagarh P.S. Case No. 159/2017 under Ss. 120B/420/468 of the IPC read with Ss. 7/13(1)(a)(b) (d)/13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 ('P.C. Act' for short).

3. The Scanned copy of the case record along with the case diary and status report, as called for, is placed before the Court.

Prosecution Case:

4. The factual matrix of the case is that an F.I.R. was lodged on 17/8/2017 by one Bedanta Bikash Das before the Officer-in-charge, Bhangagarh P.S., alleging, inter-alia , that in the year 2014, he appeared in the written examination for Selection to the post of Agriculture Development Officer ('A.D.O.' for short) under A.P.S.C. and after passing the written examination, he appeared for oral interview held in 2015. But, the informant alleged