ORDER

Dated this the 27^th day of January, 2026 This is an application for regular bail filed by the sole accused in Crime No.VC 16/2025 of Idukki Police Station.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor appearing for the Vigilance and Anti-

Corruption Bureau.

3. Here, the prosecution alleges commission of offence punishable under Section 7 (a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act , 2018, by the accused. The specific allegation is that the accused herein, who has been working as an Overseer in Pampadampala Grama Panchayat and also holding charge as Overseer in Udumbanchola Panchayat, demanded and accepted a sum of ₹50,000/- as bribe on 20.12.2025 for issuing permit for construction of a store building in 15 cents of property purchased by the de facto complainant, during the year 2024.

4. A trap was conducted after registering FIR, on recording the FIS of the de facto complainant, and in turn, the accused was nabbed along with the bribe money, pursuant to he demanded and accepted the bribe money.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner argued that the petitioner is innocent and he neither demanded nor accepted any bribe, as alleged.