JUDGMENT :

B.P. Ray, J. - The Appellant in this appeal assails his conviction under Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for allegedly accepting illegal gratification.

2. Briefly stated the case of the prosecution is that the complainant (P.W.2) was a postal agent. For renewal of his agency, he had submitted an application to the Regional Director, National Savings, Cuttack where the accused was the L.D.C. dealing with the renewal file. It is further alleged when the complainant approached the accused, he demanded a sum of Rs. 1,000/-. The complainant being aggrieved reported the matter to the C.B.I. Consequently a trap was laid to detect the crime. On 02.11.1998 while the complainant was accepting the bribe he was caught by the C.B.I. After completion of the investigation charge sheet was submitted against the accused to stand the trial.

3. The accused-Appellant has taken the plea of denial and false implication. He has further pleaded that the complainant forcibly thrust the tainted notes into his pockets and fled away. He immediately reported the matter to the Regional Director. At the nick of time, the C.B.I. officials caught ho