The appellant herein was Sub Engineer in the Electrical Major Section, Kanjikode in January-February 2000. On the allegation that he received an amount of Rs.500/- from one Thankavelu as a reward for giving electricity connection for agricultural purposes to the property of his mother Sethu Ammal, on 8.2.2000, the appellant faced prosecution before the learned Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), Kozhikode in C.C 23 of 2001. On the complaint of the said Thankavelu on 8.2.2000, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance and Anti Corruption Burea (VACB), Palakkad registered crime against the appellant and arranged a trap. The amount of Rs.500/- brought by the complainant as reward, as demanded by the accused, was received by the Dy.S.P as per mahazar, and after demonstrating the required phenolphthalein test, the complainant and the trap witness were instructed to approach the accused and make payment, if he demanded money further. Accordingly, the complainant proceeded to the office of the accused along with one Kandamuthan, and made payment of the tainted money on demand, it is alleged. On getting signal from the complainant, the vigilance team led by