J U D G M E N T

The order of conviction and sentence imposed on the appellant herein by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Special Court, Cuddalore in Spl.C.No.14 of 2010 dated 15.11.2018 for the commission of the offences under Section 7 and 13(2) r/w. 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (for the sake of convenience-PC Act), is put under challenge in the present appeal.

2. The gist of the case is as follows:

a) The complainant approached the appellant herein for transfer of patta in his name, for which it is alleged that the appellant demanded a sum of Rs.2000/- as illegal gratification for performing his duty. On negotiation, the demand amount was reduced to Rs.1000/-. Since the de-facto complainant was not willing to pay the bribe amount, he approached the Inspector of Police, V & AC, Cuddalore on 11.01.2010. On receipt of the same, FIR was registered. On 11.01.2010 at about 7.10 p.m., as per the instructions of the Trap Laying Officer/TLO, the de-facto complainant along with official witness/PW2 went to the residence of the accused and gave him Rs.1000/- as demanded which was received by the accused and thereby the appellant committed the offence under Section 7 and 1