Mr. K.C. Puri, J.:- Krishan Gopal has preferred the present appeal against the judgment dated 11.4.1997 and order dated 17.4.1997 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Ambala vide which the appellant stood convicted under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act ( in short – the Act) and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of one year and to pay a fine of Rs.5000/-. In default of payment of fine, the accused was directed to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for a period of six months.

2. Briefly stated the prosecution story is that accused Krishan Gopal remained Panchayat Secretary/Gram Sachiv from the year 1965 to 31.12.1983 and during this period his net salary came to Rs.67,509/08 P but during the above said period he purchased the property in his own name, in the name of his wife and in the name of his brothers on his behalf worth Rs.1,23,250/- over which he spent Rs.16,805/- as stamp duty. Thus, the accused Krishan Gopal was found to be in possession of property worth Rs.1,40,655/-. After giving the concession of 40% saving from his lawful income, the amount available to him was Rs.27,003/62 P but he purchased properties w