JUDGMENT :

A. BADHARUDEEN, J.

1. This appeal has been filed under Section 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (`Cr.P.C’ for short hereafter) challenging the judgment in C.C.No.20 of 2008 dated 31.12.2009 on the files of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Kottayam under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1998 (`PC Act’ for short hereafter). The respondent is the State of Kerala represented by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Alappuzha, represented by the Public Prosecutor.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the accused/appellant and the learned Public Prosecutor representing the prosecution side.

3. I shall refer the parties in this appeal as ‘prosecution’ and ‘accused’ hereafter for easy reference.

4. Perused the trial court records and the judgment under challenge.

5. The prosecution case in brief: The specific allegation of the prosecution is that the accused, who was working as Junior Accountant in Sub Treasury, Mavelikkara, demanded illegal gratification of Rs.1,000/- from one Valsala on 27.06.2003 when she met him at the Treasury office for clearing her pension commutation bill. Accordingly, at about 11.45 a.m on 30.06.2003 he demanded and accepted the said money an