ORDER

Dated this the 12^th day of February, 2026 This is a petition filed under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure , as early on 18.07.2023, seeking pre-arrest bail and the petitioner is the 2^nd accused in Crime No.8/2023 of VACB, Kottayam, where the prosecution alleges commission of offences punishable under Section 7 (a) and (b) of the Prevention of Corruption Amendment Act , 2018, by the accused.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Public Prosecutor.

3. As submitted by both sides, this case is one arose out of a trap proceeding, where the 1^st accused was arrested red-handedly and the 2^nd accused/the petitioner, against whom also demand and acceptance of bribe was alleged, could not be arrested.

4. It is fairly submitted by the learned Public Prosecutor that, during the pendency of this bail application, the investigation has been completed and the Investigating Officer is awaiting prosecution sanction to file the Final Report before the Special Court. It is also submitted by the learned Public Prosecutor that, in the meantime, the voice sample of the petitioner also was collected as part of investigation.

5. Since the investigation has