1. This memorandum of criminal appeal is directed against the Judgment dated 20.07.2004 and made in C.C.No.1 of 2002, on the file of the learned Special Judge, under the Prevention of Corruption Act (I Additional Sessions Judge), Chennai, convicting the appellant under Sections 7 and 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and sentencing to suffer two years of rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.3,000/-, in default to suffer a further period of three months of rigorous imprisonment for each offence.

2.The highest forum of the land, in the Judgment made in State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Ram Singh, 2000 Cr.L.J. 1401, has observed that:

“The Prevention of Corruption Act was intended to make an effective provision for the prevention of bribe and corruption, which is rampant amongst the public servants. It is a social legislation defined to curb illegal activities of the public servants and is designed to be liberally construed so as to advance its object.”

3.As contemplated under Section 20(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Hereinafter it may be referred to as the 'Act'), wherein, any trial of an offence punishable under section 7 or sect