Mehinder Singh Sullar, J.

1. The matrix of the facts, which needs a necessary mention for a limited purpose of deciding the core controversy involved in the instant writ petition and emanating from the record, is that the petitioner was working as a Patwari in Halqa Bahirampur, A criminal case was registered against him, on accusation of having committed the offence punishable under Section 5(2) of The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988(hereinafter to be referred as "the P.C. Act") and Section 161 IPC, vide FIR No 159 dated 09.09.1987, by the police of Police Station Ropar(Rupnagar).

2. Having completed all the codal formalities, the petitioner was convicted and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/-, for the commission of offence punishable under Section 5(2) of the P.C.Aet and to further undergo rigorous implisonment for a period of two years and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- under Section 161 IPC, by virtue of judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 03.09.1991 by the Special Judge, Rupnagar.

3. In the wake of conviction/sentence of the petitioner under the P.C.Act and Section 161 IPC, the competent au