JUDGMENT :

This Criminal Appeal is filed against the conviction and sentence imposed by the Special Court-cum -Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thanjavur at Kumbakonam in Special Case No.61 of 2014, dated 14/03/2018.

2.The case of the prosecution in brief:-

The first accused was working as Inspector, second accused as Head Constable and third accused as Sub Inspector of Police in the Ayyampettai Police Station during 2003. On 01/03/2003, the de-facto complainant gave a complaint against his sister Mallika with regard to civil dispute between them. It was received by the police officials, for which, receipt was given in CSR No.81 of 2003. That was enquired by the police officials. Again, on 31/05/2003 the de-facto complainant gave another complaint, which was also received and CSR No.198 of 2003 was issued. On 06/07/2003 at about 09.30 am, when the accused person enquired the complaint, they demanded illegal gratification of Rs.3,000/-, of which Rs.2,000/- for the first and second accused and Rs.1,000/- for the third accused. Subsequently reiterated the demand on 18/07/2003, 21/07/2003 and 23/07/2023 at the Ayyampettai Police Station for settling the civil dispute prevailing between the comp