1. Heard Shri Arun Kumar Gupta, learned counsel for petitioner and learned Standing Counsel for State-respondents.

2. Sole petitioner Anil Garg is challenging order dated 24.01.2014 passed by Principal Secretary (Pramukh Sachiv) Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.P., Lucknow, communicating sanction under Section 19 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as 1988 Act) for prosecution of petitioner under section 7 and 13 (1) (c) and 13(1) (d) read with section 13 (2) of Act, 1988.

3. A complaint was made by Mr. Anil Singh, a Contractor, engaged with Varanasi Development Authority, Varanasi, (hereinafter referred to as ‘VDA’) against petitioner for demanding bribe of Rs. 10,000/- for clearance of his bill of Rs. 87,000/-. Permission was taken from Secretary, Vigilance Department, Government of U.P., and trap was conducted on 01.08.2000. Petitioner was caught red handed in the said trap, accepting gratification of Rs. 10,000/- from complainant Anil Kumar Singh. Pursuant thereto, FIR, being Case Crime no. 355 of 2000 under section 7/13 of Act 1988 was registered. Investigation was conducted by Police and sanction for prosecution of petitioner w