J U D G M E N T

R.MAHADEVAN, J.

1. At the outset, it would be apposite to point out the observation of this Court

1 in Swatantar Singh v. State of Haryana (SCC p. 17, para 6), which reads as under:

“6….. Corruption is corroding, like cancerous lymph nodes, the vital veins of the body politic, social fabric of efficiency in the public service and demoralizing the honest officers. The efficiency in public service would improve only when the public servant devotes his sincere attention and does the duty diligently, truthfully, honestly and devotes himself assiduously to the performance of the duties of his post. The reputation of being corrupt would gather thick and unchaseable clouds around the conduct of the officer and gain notoriety much faster than the smoke.”

2. This is an appeal filed by the State against the final Judgment and Order

2 dated 16.02.2022 passed by the High Court of Karnataka, Kalaburagi Bench in Signature Not Verified Criminal Appeal No.200105 of 2015.

Digitally signed by CHANDRESH Date: 2024.11.26 18:15:17 IST Reason:

1 (1997) 4 SCC 14 : 1997 SCC (L&S) 909 Hereinafter shortly referred to as “the High Court”

3. By the impugned Judgment, the High Court set aside the or