1. The present acquittal Appeal has been filed by the appellant – original complainant, State of Gujarat under Section 378 of the Cr. P.C., against the Judgment and order dated 30.5.1996 rendered by the learned Special Judge, Ahmedabad, in Special Case No.17 of 1989. The said case was registered against the present respondents original accused for the offence under Sections 7, 12, 13(1) (c) 1, 2, 3, read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
2. According to the prosecution case that, on 24.10.1988, at 5:00 O'clock in the evening the complainant went to Unava Police Station to meet Shri Rav, but Shri Rav did not meet him then he met accused No.1 and accused No.3, at that time accused No.3 asked that what have you done for Shri Rav's talk. The complainant told him tell me clear that what amount do you want to take. The accused – Jagatsinh told that we are three persons so you have to give Rs.500/. The complainant told that this case is of Chanasma and you have not to do anything so reduce the amount. At that time, accused No.3 told that nobody will harass Karansinh any more. The accused No.3 told the complainant to give money on 25.10.1988 at Unava Police Station in between 7:30 to 8:00 O'clock. The accused No.1 demanded and accepted Rs.300/ from the complainant on that day. The complainant lodged the complaint before the ACB. After completing necessary formalities the raid was carried out, statement of the witnesses were recorded by the trapping officer and then before the learned Special Judge chargesheet was filed.
3. On the basis of above allegations, charge was framed, readover and explained to the accused persons for the offence punishable under Sections 7, 12, 13(1)(c) 1, 2, 3 read with Section 13(2) of the P.C.Act. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and claimed to be tried.
4. Thereafter, after filing closing pursis by the prosecution, further statements of accused persons under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was recorded. The accused persons have denied the case of the prosecution and submitted that a false case is filed against them.
5. At the conclusion of trial and after appreciating the oral as well as documentary evidence, the learned Judge vide impugned Judgment, acquitted the respondents – accused.
6. Being aggrieved by and dissatisfied with the said judgment and order of acquittal dated 30.5.1996 rendered by the learned Special Judge, Ahmedabad, in Special Case No.17 of 1989, the appellant – State has preferred the present appeal before this Court.
7. Heard Learned APP Ms.Jirga Jhaveri, appearing on behalf of the appellant – State. She has contended that the judgment and order passed by the learned Judge is contrary to law and evidence on record. She has contended that the learned Judge has not properly appreciated oral as well as documentary evidence adduced by the parties in its proper perspectives.
8. She has contended that the learned Judge ought to have believed the evidence of the complainant whereby he has stated that to whom he has given bribe amount. However, the learned Judge has erred in holding that the complainant could not identify the person to whom the bribe amount was given. The evidence regarding the demand being made by the Constable – Harisinh is produced. She has contended that the learned Judge ought to have seen that Rs.300/ as bribe amount was accepted by the accused No.1 Harisinh.
Therefore, demand and acceptance by the accused is proved and accused persons are liable to be convicted accordingly.
9. She has contended that the learned Judge ought to have seen that all the witnesses though have not supported the case of prosecution, the evidence of Anuji and panch No.1 supports the prosecution case. She has contended that so far as identity of present accused persons is concerned, it does not create any doubt. She has read oral version of the panch and contended that so far as demand is concerned, it is proved beyond reasonable doubt through oral version of the panch witness. She has read evidence of the panch witness and contended that so far as contents of Ex.159 are concerned, receipt of memo is produced on record. She has read oral version of the second panch and contended that he has disclosed presence of Constable – Harisinh and he is also identified. She has contended that so far as abetment and common intention of all accused persons is concerned, the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt through oral evidence of the Trapping Officer as well as panchas. Lastly, she has read observations of the learned Judge and contended that the observations made by the learned Judge are not proper in the eye of law and therefore, judgment and order of the learned Judge is required to be set aside.
10. Heard Mr.A.D.Shah, learned advocate for respondent Nos.1 to 3. Mr.Shah has contended that it is not true that prosecution has proved 95% case against the accused No.1. He has contended that from the beginning case of the complainant is doubtful. He has contended that the case of the complainant is not corroborating with the evidence led by the complainant. He has contended that after making demand of Rs.500/ who reduced to Rs.300/ or who decided to take bribe of Rs.300/ has not come on record. Therefor, he has prayed to dismiss the Appeal.
11. Heard Mr.Yogesh Mehta, learned advocate appearing for Mr.J.F.Mehta, for the respondent Nos.4 to 6. He has read charge and contended that it is the duty of the prosecution to prove demand, acceptance and recovery beyond reasonable doubt. He has read judgment and order and contended that the learned Judge has rightly observed that said three factors of the prosecution case are lacking in. Lastly he has contended that no interference is required in the judgment and order passed by the learned Judge.
12. I have gone through the impugned judgment and order passed by the learned trial Judge and oral as well as documentary evidence produced on the record. I have read the oral evidence of prosecution witnesscomplainant and also perused the charge framed against the accused. I have also considered the submissions advanced by the learned advocates for the respective parties.
13. It is pertinent to note that in corruption cases, four things are required to be appreciated, viz. (I) initial demand, (ii) second demand to be made in presence of Panch, (iii) voluntary acceptance and (iv) recovery of amount.
14. I have minutely perused oral evidence of the panch witness. From the oral version of panch witness it is established beyond reasonable doubt that presence of panchas creates doubt. It is true that in the case of corruption demand is required to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. Simple recovery of the muddamal trap amount or any other article is not sufficient to convict the accused for the offence punishable under the provisions of Corruption Act.
15. In the present case, prosecution has failed to prove that respondents – accused demanded any amount from the complainant. It is also proved beyond reasonable doubt that amount was not accepted by the present respondents.
16. In the latest decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Banarsi Das Vs. State of Haryana, reported in AIR 2010 SC 1589, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed that mere proof of recovery of bribe money from accused is not sufficient to prove the offence. In that view of the matter, I am of the opinion that so far as offence of bribery is concerned, the demand and acceptance of money is required to be proved beyond reasonable doubt and mere recovery of bribe money from accused is not sufficient to prove the offence and to hold the person guilty. Presumption cannot be raised when demand is not proved in this case. Therefore, in absence of any evidence regarding the demand, mere alleged recovery is not sufficient to convict the present respondent accused and hence, this appeal deserves to be dismissed. The ratio laid down in aforesaid decision is squarely applicable to the facts of the present case because in the case on hand, the demand is not proved and the complainant had not stated about the demand made by the accused and, therefore, mere alleged recovery is not sufficient to prove the case against the respondents accused. Even the recovery is also not proved as per law.
17. In view of the above, the Appeal is hereby dismissed. The impugned judgment and order dated 30.5.1996 rendered by the learned Special Judge, Ahmedabad, in Special Case No.17 of 1989, acquitting the respondents – accused is hereby confirmed. Record and proceedings, if any, be sent back to the trial Court concerned, forthwith.
(Z.K.SAIYED, J.) kks