The court grants bail to a first-time offender accused of corruption based on custody duration and conditions to ensure investigation integrity.

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. Apart from that, it is argued that the petitioner has been in custody since 20.12.2025 and that his custodial interrogation for the purpose of investigation is over. Further, he is a first-time offender.

6. The learned Public Prosecutor strongly opposed the grant of bail, highlighting the seriousness of the offence allegedly committed by the accused and pointing out that ₹50,000/- is the bribe amount involved. Accordingly, it is submitted that the premature release of the petitioner herein would be fatal to the investigation.

7. On a perusal of the prosecution records, it could be gathered 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 a permit for construction of a store building in 15 cents of property purchased by the de facto complainant during the year 2024. Thus, as per the prosecution records, the allegation of the prosecution is prima facie well made out.

8. However, considering the fact that the petitioner is a first-

time offender, and he has been in custody from 20.12.2025, in the interest of justice, I am inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

In the result, this bail application is allowed and the petitioner can be enlarged on bail on the following conditions:

i. The petitioner shall be released on bail on his executing bond for Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) by himself and with two solvent sureties, each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the Special Court concerned.

ii. The petitioner shall not intimidate the witnesses or tamper with evidence. He shall co-operate with the investigation and shall be available for interrogation.

iii. The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer as and when directed.

iv. The petitioner shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of this case, so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the court or to any police officer.

v. The petitioner shall not involve in any other offence during the currency of bail and any such event, if reported or came to the notice of this Court, the same shall be a reason to cancel the bail hereby granted.

vi. The petitioner shall not enter the offices of Pampadampala Grama Panchayat and Udumbanchola Panchayat until further orders without permission of the concerned authority.