O R D E R

This application for anticipatory bail is at the instance of the sole accused in Crime No.3 of 2025 of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), Thiruvananthapuram.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Special Public Prosecutor. Perused the copy of the FIR as well as the detailed report submitted by the learned Special Public Prosecutor, in detail.

3. The prosecution allegation is that when the complainants herein found that 67 cents of property stood in their name for which tax was paid upto 2006 in Sy No. 1812, 1889/1, 1890/1 of Manacaud Village was not in their name and it was noticed that, out of 67 cents of property, 5.5 cents of property is shown in the name of a third party and remaining extent has been shown as Government purampoke land, the applicants filed application before the village ofÏcer to fix the boundaries of the property after measuring the property as per resurvey. Pursuant to that on 10th June 2023, the village ofÏcer/accused inspected the site and said that Rs.15,000/- to be paid towards fees of the Government to rectify the mistake.

Acting on the demand and without understanding that the amount so asked was illegal gra