2007 Supreme(MP) 187

2007(2) JLJ 100
S.A. Naqvi, J.
State of M.P. v. Anil Kumar Verma
Criminal Appeal No. 627 of 2000 (Gwalior): against the
judgment of Special Judge, Morena, passed in
Special Case No.1 of 1997; Decided on 19.2.2007.

Headnote:(1) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 -- Ss.7 and 13(1)(d) r/w S.13(2) -- demand of bribe not proved by reliable evidence -- motive or reason for demand of bribe also not proved -- important witness of handing over of money etc. not examined -- notes alleged to have been rubbed on hands of accused -- acquittal proper.

       Held: I am of the view that statement of Siyaram regarding demand of bribe by respondent is not reliable and it cannot be accepted beyond doubt. Learned trial Court appreciating the prosecution evidence in right perspective and giving cogent reasons held that prosecution could not prove the demand of bribe by respondent from complainant beyond doubt, Consequently, I affirm the finding arrived at by learned trial Court regarding this fact.

       There is no evidence on record that any proceeding was pending before the respondent to make approval of service of Tulsiram, son of complainant. Prosecution has not proved any rule of law that respondent has power to remove/terminate the contingent employee i.e. Tulsiram from the service. Contrary to that, it is revealed from the prosecution that no proceeding was pending before respondent to approve Tulsiram on the post or to discontinue his service. Being Accountant Siyaram also knew the fact that no proceeding is pending before the respondent to remove his son from service or to approve the service of his son Tulsiram. No such note sheet or file has been produced and proved by the prosecution during trial. Consequently, I am of the view that prosecution has failed to prove motive or reason for demand of bribe from the complainant by the respondent. Learned trial Court on sound reasoning reached to the conclusion that no motive has been proved for demand of bribe from complainant by the respondent, by the prosecution. [Paras 18 & 19

       Bharat is a witness of handing over the money by complainant to respondent. His statement was also recorded under section 161 of CrPC and reveals the same fact, but reason best known to the prosecution Bharat has not been examined. Bharat was an important witness regarding handing over the money to respondent by complainant. Non-examination of Bharat leads to strong presumption that if he would have been examined by the prosecution, his statement would have gone against the prosecution. Non-examination of Bharat is fatal to prosecution. It is clear from the prosecution story and statement of Siyaram Rathore that the whole episode took place for an approval of the service of Tulsiram, son of complainant, but Tulsiram has not been examined by the prosecution. Tulsiram also would have been best witness to prove the fact that the respondent threatened his father not to approve his services or to remove him from service and demanded bribe by respondent. Non-examination of Tulsiram is fatal to prosecution. [Para 21

       On going through the evidence of prosecution witnesses, it is revealed that respondent objected and struggled during trap. He was crying that police man rubbed note containing phenolphthalein powder in his hand. When R.S. Ghuraiya reached in the room of respondent at that juncture Constable Uparbal Singh and Ummed Singh caught hold both the hands of respondent. After that, the hands of respondent were got washed and his kurta was also washed in sodium carbonate solution which turned pink. Looking to the facts i.e. bundle of notes was found on takhat it has not been handed over by the complainant to respondent i.e. respondent did not take bundle of notes in his hand from complainant and did not count notes. One note was found crushed on the floor or near bundle of notes, respondent struggled and he was crying that phenolphthalein powder was rubbed in his hand and R.S. Ghuraiya called local police for help leads to the presumption that respondent did not receive bundle of notes in his hand and he did not count money and some struggle took place. It is quite possible during struggle that the hands of respondent would have come into the contact of phenolphthalein powder and while dipping fingers and kurta of respondent in sodium carbonate solution, it turned pink. 2004 Cri. LJ NOC 100, 2000(2) Vidhi Bhasvar 196, AIR 2000 SC 3377 and 1997(1) MPWN 194 relied on. [Para 24

       (2) Criminal P.C., 1973 -- Ss.374 and 378 -- appeal -- two views of evidence possible -- view taken by trial Court should not be set aside. 1988 JLJ 358 (SC) followed. [Para 25

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