JUDGMENT :

The petitioner was the Sub Inspector of Police, Kaduthuruthy Police Station. He is seeking to quash the FIR registered as VC No.7/2021/KTM by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), Kottayam Unit alleging offence punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (for short 'the Act').

2. Facts:

2.1. While the petitioner was serving as Sub Inspector (Law and Order) at Kaduthuruthy Police Station, he was entrusted with the investigation in Crime No.281/2021 registered alleging offences punishable under Sections 498A and 323 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code against the defacto complainant in V.C No.7/2021 and three others. Sri.Anil Kumar was employed as an Assistant Sub Inspector of Police at the Kaduthuruthy Police Station. The defacto complainant and the other accused were granted anticipatory bail. Sri. Vijay.P.Victor, the brother of the defacto complainant, approached the petitioner and Sri. Anil Kumar, in connection with the crime registered against the defacto complainant and others.

2.2. The defacto complainant alleged that the petitioner and the other accused demanded bribe through Sri.Vijay.P.Victor. Later Sri. Anil Kumar receiv