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Dr.Ck.Ramachandran vs State Of Kerala
2025 Latest Caselaw 1132 Ker

Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 1132 Ker
Judgement Date : 18 July, 2025

Kerala High Court

Dr.Ck.Ramachandran vs State Of Kerala on 18 July, 2025

CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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               IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                               PRESENT

              THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A. BADHARUDEEN

        FRIDAY, THE 18TH DAY OF JULY 2025 / 27TH ASHADHA, 1947

                        CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

        AGAINST THE JUDGMENT DATED 19.03.2010 IN CC NO.29 OF 2004

(VC - 11/2003 OF VACB, KANUR) OF ENQUIRY COMMISSIONER & SPECIAL

JUDGE, KOZHIKODE.

APPELLANT/ACCUSED:

            DR.CK.RAMACHANDRAN, S/O     CK NARAYANAN​
            AGED 62 YEARS, PEARL, KEEZHUR AMSOM DESOM, IRITTY,
            KANNUR - 670703, THALASSERY TALUK.


            BY ADV SHRI.V.RAMKUMAR NAMBIAR

RESPONDENTS/COMPLAINANT:


    1       STATE OF KERALA​
            PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM.


    2       DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE​
            VIGILANCE & ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU, KANNUR.
 CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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                                                     2025:KER:53372

OTHER PRESENT:

          SPL PP RAJESH .A VACB,SR PP VACB REKHA.S

     THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION          ON
08.07.2025, THE COURT ON 18.07.2025, DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
 CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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                                                        2025:KER:53372


          ​    ​    ​     ​    ​       ​   ​   ​    ​     ​    "C R"
                        A. BADHARUDEEN, J
              ============================
                   Crl. Appeal No. 685 of 2010
           ==============================
                   Dated 18th day of July 2025


                              JUDGMENT

The sole accused in C.C. No. 29 of 2004 on the files of the

Court of Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Kozhikode,

has filed this appeal under Section 374 of the Code of Criminal

Procedure (for short, 'CrPC'). He assails the conviction and

sentence imposed on him in the above case by judgment dated

19.03.2010.

CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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2. Heard the learned counsel for the appellant/accused and

the learned Public Prosecutor appearing for the

Vigilance/prosecution in detail.

3. I shall refer the parties in this appeal as 'prosecution'

and 'accused' hereinafter.

4. The prosecution case in a nutshell is that, the accused

while working as Medical Officer, at Community Health Centre

(for short, 'CHC'), Ititty, since 12.06.2003 FN, and as such

being a public servant abused his official position, committed

criminal misconduct and by adopting corrupt and illegal means

demanded illegal gratification of ₹250/- from Sri.V.J.George, CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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S/o Joseph Vellappally House, Kelakam, on 22.09.2003,

accepted ₹100/- on 23.09.2003, had further demanded the

balance amount of ₹150/- on 24.09.2003, re-iterated the same

demand on 25.09.2003 and in pursuance of the said demand he

accepted ₹150/- from the complainant as bribe at 14.45 hours

on 25.09.2003 for discharging the complainant from CHC,

Iritty and thereby, he had committed the offences punishable

under Sections 7 and 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(d) of the

Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

5. When the final report was filed, the trial court took

cognizance of the matter. Thereafter, upon completion of CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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pre-trial formalities, charge was framed for the said offences, and

evidence was recorded.

6. During trial, PWs 1 to 9 were examined, Exts. P1 to P24

and Material Objects MOs series 1 to 5 were marked on the side

of the prosecution. Exts. D1 to D3 were marked on the side of

the defence during the course of prosecution evidence. After

completion of the prosecution evidence, the accused was

examined under Section 313(1)(b) of the CrPC, and an

opportunity was given to him to adduce defence evidence.

However, no defence evidence was adduced. CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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7. On evaluation of evidence, and on hearing both sides,

the trial court found that the accused committed offences

punishable under section Sections 7 and 13(2) read with

Section 13(1)(d) of the PC Act and sentenced him to undergo

rigorous imprisonment for six months each and to pay a fine of

₹1000/- each, in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for

three months each under Sections 7 and 13(2) r/w Section

13(1)(d) of the PC Act, 1988. The substantive sentences shall

run concurrently. Set off is allowed under Section 428 of the

Code of Criminal Procedure.

8. While assailing the conviction and sentence, the learned

counsel for the accused contended that, in order to establish the CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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offences under Section 7 and Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention

of Corruption Act, both demand and acceptance of illegal

gratification must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. In the

present case, the prosecution alleges that when PW1, the de

facto complainant, was admitted to CHC, Iritty, the accused

demanded bribe of ₹250/-. Accordingly, PW1 visited the doctor

(the accused) at his residence in the evening on 22.09.2003,

where the accused reiterated the demand for ₹250/-. As PW1

did not have the full amount at that time--i.e., on

23.09.2003--he went to the residence of the accused and paid

₹100/-, which the accused allegedly accepted. CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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9. The further case of the prosecution is that the accused

demanded the balance amount of ₹150/-, and this was informed

by PW1 to the Vigilance Department. Following this, after

starting the pre-trap proceedings, the Vigilance officials, along

with PW1, proceeded to the residence of the accused along with

MO1 series currency notes (i.e., ₹100 x 1 and ₹50 x 1), smeared

with phenolphthalein powder, after completing the procedure

for trap. As per prosecution case, upon demand made by the

accused, PW1 placed the tainted notes on the teapoy in front of

the accused.

10. According to the learned counsel for the accused, even

in the evidence of PW1, there is no clear version that the Doctor CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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actually accepted the MO1 series notes. It was contended that

PW2, the Gazetted Officer who acted as a witness to the trap

proceedings, deposed regarding the recovery of the MO1 series

notes after its alleged acceptance by the accused. However, PW2

did not witness either the demand or acceptance of MO1 series

notes. His evidence was confined to the point that when the

hand of the Doctor when dipped in sodium carbonate solution,

the solution turned pink, which, according to him, indicated

that the accused accepted the notes smeared with

phenolphthalein powder.

11. It is pointed out by the learned counsel for the accused

that this evidence is unreliable because MO3--the sodium CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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carbonate solution in which the fingers of the accused were

alleged to be dipped when confronted with PW2 he deposed

that in MO3 bottle there was no liquid at the time of his

examination, even though the bottle contained liquid at the time

of the occurrence and recovery of MO3. This, according to the

defence, casts serious doubt on the credibility of the prosecution

case.

12. Therefore, it is contended that there is no convincing

evidence to prove the acceptance of ₹150/- by the accused. In

view of these inconsistencies, and considering the present age

and ailments of the accused, it is submitted that he deserves CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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acquittal, as the prosecution has failed to establish the

commission of the alleged offences beyond reasonable doubt.

13. Per contra, the learned Public Prosecutor contended

that, as per the evidence of PW1, MO1 series currency notes

were placed on the teapoy in front of the Doctor by PW1.

Subsequently, PW1 came out and gave the pre-arranged signal.

During this time, the Doctor took the MO1 series currency

notes, which would establish the fact that when his hand was

dipped into the sodium carbonate solution contained in the

MO3 bottle, the same turned pink.

CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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14. Therefore, it is submitted by the learned Public

Prosecutor that the combined evidence of PW1, the

complainant, and PW2, the Gazetted Officer who had no

adverse interest against the accused, sufficiently proved the

demand and acceptance required to constitute offence under

Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Accordingly, the

offences punishable under Section 7, as well as Section 13(1)(d)

read with 13(2) of the PC Act, are clearly established, as rightly

found by the trial court. In view of this, the conviction and the

moderate sentence imposed by the Special Court do not warrant

any interference.

CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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15. On appraisal of the rival contentions, the following

questions arise for consideration are:

1.​Whether the trial court is justified in finding that the

accused committed offence punishable under Section

7 of the PC Act, 1988?

2.​Whether the trial court went wrong in holding that

the accused committed offence punishable under

Section 13(1)(d) r/w 13(2) of the PC Act, 1988?

3.​Whether the verdict under challenge would require

interference?

4.​The order to be passed?

CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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Point Nos. 1 & 2:-

16. While evaluating the evidence tendered by PW1, the de

facto complainant in this case, he deposed that he made a

complaint to the Vigilance Office, Kannur, on 25.09.2003,

which was recorded by the police at the instance of the Deputy

Superintendent of Police (for short, 'DySP'). The complaint so

lodged is marked as Ext.P1. According to PW1, at about 8:30

p.m. on 21.09.2003, while he was on his way to Kelakam town

to purchase articles for the purpose of sewing, Kuttan @ Janesh,

and Jeny attacked him by using a torch and with their hands,

and thereby caused injuries to his forehead and leg. Pursuant to

this, at about 10:00 a.m. on 22.09.2003, he went to the CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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Government Hospital, Iritty, and met the Doctor (accused).

Thereafter, the accused informed PW1 that he wanted to meet

him at his residence in the evening. When PW1 inquired why

PW1 would visit the house, the Doctor informed that in

connection with the crime, he would have to go to court for

that ₹250/- was demanded as a bribe. PW1 did not give any

amount on 22.09.2003 as he did not have any money with him

at that time. On 23.09.2003, his wife reached the hospital in the

evening and entrusted some money to him. Later, he reached the

accused's house at 3:00 p.m. and entrusted ₹100/- to the Doctor

as demanded by him. Thereafter, the accused demanded ₹150/-

more and persisted with the demand, ignoring the financial CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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difficulties stated by PW1. On 24.09.2003, PW1 again met the

Doctor at his residence at 3:00 p.m., along with his ration card,

and demanded for a discharge. He was accompanied by

Padmanabhan (PW8) during this visit. This time, he entrusted

₹100/- more to the accused, but the accused demanded ₹150/-

and did not accept ₹100/-. Then PW1 returned back. Then the

accused informed PW1 that he would pay ₹150/- in the

morning on 25.09.2003.

17. The further version of PW1 is that he soon telephoned

the Vigilance DySP from a telephone booth and reached the

Vigilance Office with ₹150/- in the morning on 25.09.2003. He

deposed about the entrustment of MO1 series currency notes to CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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the DySP and the demonstration of the phenolphthalein test

and entrustment of the same to him. Ext.P2 is the mahazar

prepared by the DySP when he took possession of MO1 series

currency notes. Thereafter, the Vigilance party and PW1

proceeded towards the residence of the accused. They stopped

two vehicles at a place from where the accused's house could be

reached by walking for 5 to 10 minutes. At 3:45 p.m., they

reached the accused's residence. The DySP instructed PW1 to

entrust the MO1 series notes to the accused only if he made a

demand for the same, and further instructed PW1 to give a

signal by scratching his head if the accused would accept the

money.

CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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18. According to PW1, when he entered the accused's

house, the accused was sitting on a chair in the verandah. The

Doctor asked whether PW1 had brought the money as

demanded, to which PW1 replied affirmatively. He then took

the money from his pocket and handed it over to the Doctor,

who instructed PW1 to place the money on the teapoy. PW1

then placed MO1 series on the teapoy and came out; and gave

the signal to the Vigilance Police. Thereafter, the DySP entered

inside the verandah of the house of the accused and asked the

Doctor (accused) whether he accepted the MO1 series notes:

PW1 replied that, as requested by the Doctor, he had placed the

notes on the teapoy. According to PW1, thereafter, using the CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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mugs brought by the Vigilance team, the hands of the policemen

as well as the Doctor were examined. When the hand of the

accused was dipped in MO3 solution, the solution turned pink.

19. To corroborate the version of PW1, the then

Additional Tahsildar of Kannur Taluk, the Gazetted Officer

accompanied the Vigilance team, was examined as PW2. He

deposed that he was familiar with both PW1 and the accused,

and was a witness to the arrest of the accused. According to him,

he reached the office of the Vigilance DySP as directed by the

District Collector and found PW1 and CW3 present there.

Then, the DySP informed PW2 about the purpose of his

invitation and the registration of the crime. Thereafter, a CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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ten-rupee currency note was dipped into sodium carbonate

solution, and there was no change in colour. Then,

phenolphthalein powder was smeared into the same note, and

when dipped again into the sodium carbonate solution, the

solution turned pink. The further evidence of PW2 is that MO1

series currency notes were produced by PW1 and marked with

'V', after noting its serial numbers. The said notes were

identified by PW2. According to PW2, as per Ext.P2 (the

mahazar), the notes were taken into custody by the DySP, and

thereafter entrusted to PW1. Then the party proceeded to the

accused's house in two vehicles. He also testified that the DySP

gave directions to PW1 to give the signal, after which PW1 CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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entered the house. CW3, along with the DySP, entered the

verandah and found that the Doctor sitting on a chair in the

verandah. The Doctor attempted to stand up when they

entered, but was directed by the DySP to remain seated. When

the DySP asked the Doctor whether he had accepted money

from PW1, the Doctor denied the same. Thereafter, the DySP

introduced himself and, after calling PW1 inside, inquired about

the demand and acceptance of bribe by the accused. The MO1

series were then found folded on the teapoy. Subsequently, the

hands of PW2, the DySP, and CW3 were dipped in a mug

containing sodium carbonate solution, but no colour change

was observed. This solution was labelled as 'A' and identified as CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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MO2 by PW2. Then, the Doctor's hand was dipped in the

sodium carbonate solution, which turned pink. This solution

was collected in a bottle, labeled 'B', and the same is identified as

MO3. PW2 testified that there was liquid in MO3 at the time it

was labeled and sealed; however, the liquid was not found when

the same was shown to him before the court. Thereafter, the

DySP dipped the MO1 series currency notes in sodium

carbonate solution, and both the notes and the liquid exhibited

pink colour change. This solution was marked as MO4. PW2

was cross-examined, but nothing significant was elicited to

discredit the testimony of PW2.

CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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20. PW3, examined in this case, is the staff nurse working

at CHC, Iritty, during September 2003. She deposed about the

admission of PW1 at the CHC on 22.09.2003 as I.P. No.1620.

She identified the case sheet and Diet Sheet as Ext.P6. The IP

register pertaining to PW1 was marked as Ext.P7. According to

PW3, PW1 absconded and was discharged on 25.09.2003. This

was endorsed by PW3, and the endorsement was written by her.

In Ext.P6, the relevant entries were made by the Medical Officer,

Dr. Sainudheen. She also deposed that PW1 was at the hospital

on 22.09.2003 and 23.09.2003, as evidenced by Ext.P8, the

wound certificate register, and Ext.P8(a), the relevant page

pertaining to PW1. In fact, the evidence of PW3 is confined to CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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the admission of PW1, as deposed by him. It was PW4, the then

Sub-Inspector of Police at Kelakam Police Station, who

instructed Mathew Joseph, Head Constable, to record the

statement of PW1 in the said case. According to PW4, the crime

was registered as per Ext.P3, based on the occurrence narrated by

PW1. He also supported the contentions of PW1, the statement

marked as Ext.P3, as well as the mahazar marked as Ext.P11.

21. PW6, examined in this case, is the DySP, Vigilance,

Kannur. According to PW6, on 24.09.2003, PW1 telephoned

him and informed that the accused, who admitted him to the

hospital, demanded bribe for his discharge. Accordingly, PW6

conducted a confidential verification and finding truth in the CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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allegation, he directed PW1 to report to the Vigilance Office on

the next day. PW1 arrived at the office at 10:00 a.m. Meanwhile,

PW6 requested the District Collector to depute two officers to

reach the Vigilance Office at 11:30 a.m. Ext.P1, the statement of

PW1, was recorded, and thereafter, Ext.P1(a), the FIR, was

registered. Soon after, CW2 (PW2) and CW3 arrived at the

Vigilance Officer, he introduced them as witnesses to PW1.

22. According to PW6, thereafter, ₹150/- (i.e., ₹100 x 1

and ₹50 x 1) were produced by PW1 and marked with a 'V' on

the Ashoka Pillar. The said notes identified by PW6 as MO1

series. By preparing Ext.P2, the mahazar, the MO1 series notes

were taken into custody. PW6 deposed about conduct of CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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phenolphthalein test by using a ₹10/- note by smearing

phenolphthalein solution. Thereafter, on the MO1 series notes

were entrusted to PW1 in a sealed cover with instructions to

hand over the same to the accused when demanded. Ext.P2

mahazar was signed by PW6 and the witnesses.

23. He further deposed that thereafter, they proceeded in

two vehicles towards the house of the accused and sent PW1 to

give the money as demanded. At 02:50 hours, the complainant

gave the signal. PW6 then entered the verandah of the house of

the accused and enquired about the entrustment of ₹150/- by

PW1 as demanded by the accused, but the accused denied the

same.

CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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24. PW6 also deposed about conduct of the

phenolphthalein test on the hands of the accused and on himself

and other witnesses, using sodium carbonate solution contained

in MO2 and MO3 bottles. According to him, when the doctor

dipped his hand in MO2 solution, the solution turned pink. He

further deposed about recovery of MO1 to MO4 series.

25. PW7, examined in this case, is Dr. E.K. Sainudheen.

He deposed that he came to know about the arrest of the

accused by the Vigilance Police while working as a Medical

Officer at CHC, Iritty, and had supported the investigation. He

produced certain documents from the hospital, which were

marked as Ext.P9, attendance register, pertaining to the accused CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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on the relevant days. Ext.P6 case sheet, Ext.P14 posting order of

the accused, and Ext.P16 and Ext.P17 mahazars were also

produced. He also reported that as per Ext.P7(a), PW1 was

recorded as absconded and therefore discharged. Thus, the

evidence of PW7 suggests that the accused was working as a

doctor at CHC, Iritty, during the relevant period.

26. The demand of ₹250/- by the accused was deposed to

by PW8, Padmanabhan, who also visited the residence of the

accused on 24.09.2003 along with PW1. CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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27. PW9 is the Vigilance Sub-Inspector who supported

Ext.P18 (property list) as well as Exts.P4, P6, P7, P9, P10, P15,

and P16.

28. Now, it is necessary to address the ingredients required

to attract the offences under Section 7 and Section 13(1)(d) read

with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The same are extracted as under:--

Section 7:- Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act. - Whoever, being, or expecting to be a public servant, accepts or obtains or agrees to accept or attempts to obtain from any person, for himself or for any other person, any gratification whatever, other than CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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legal remuneration, as a motive or reward for doing or forbearing to do any official act or for showing or forbearing to show, in the exercise of his official functions, favour or disfavour to any person or for rendering or attempting to render any service or disservice to any person, with the Central Government or any State Government or Parliament or the Legislature of any State or with any local authority, corporation or Government Company referred to in clause (C) of section 2, or with any public servant, whether named or otherwise, shall be punishable with imprisonment which shall be not less than three years but which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.

CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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Section 13:- Criminal misconduct by a public servant. - (1) A public servant is said to commit the offence of criminal misconduct,-

            (a)​    xxxxx
            (b)​ xxxxx
            (c)​ xxxxxx

(d)​ If he,- (i) by corrupt or illegal means, obtains for himself or for any other person any valuable thing or pecuniary advantage; or (ii) by abusing his position as a public servant, obtains for himself or for any other person any valuable thing or pecuniary advantage; or

(iii) while holding office as a public servant, obtains for any person any valuable thing or pecuniary advantage without any public interest.

xxxxxx CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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(2) Any public servant who commits criminal misconduct shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall be not less than four years but which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine.

29. The learned counsel for the accused placed reliance on

the decision of this Court reported in 2024 (4) KHC 52,

Bharat Raj Meena v. Central Bureau of Investigation,

Ernakulam with reference to Paragraph No. 12, where it was

held that:-

"It is trite that proof of demand and acceptance of illegal

gratification by a public servant is a prerequisite to

establish the guilt of the accused / public servant under CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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Section 7 of the PC Act. Indeed, proof of demand and

acceptance of illegal gratification by a public servant can

also be proved by circumstantial evidence in the absence of

direct, oral and documentary evidence [See Neeraj

Dutta v. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi, 2023 (4) SCC

731]. Recently, the Supreme Court in Jagtar Singh v.

State of Punjab, AIR 2023 SC 1567 reiterated the

principle that the demand of illegal gratification, at least

by circumstantial evidence, is sine qua non to attract the

offence under Section 7 or Section 13(1)(d)(i) and (ii) of

the PC Act. S.13(1)(a) of the PC Act provides that the

prosecution is obliged to prove that the accused accepted or

obtained or agreed to accept or agreed to obtain any CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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gratification as a motive or reward as contemplated under

Section 7 of the PC Act . Thus, the demand and

acceptance by the public servant for illegal gratification

must be independently proved by the prosecution as a fact

in issue to establish the guilt under Section 7 or 13(1)(a) of

the PC Act."

30. In fact the legal position as held in Bharat Raj

Meena (supra), Neeraj Dutta (supra), and Jagtar Singh

(supra) to the effect that the demand and acceptance of illegal

gratification is sine qua non to attract offence under Section 7 of

the PC Act. That apart, as per Section 13(1)(a) of the PC Act,

the prosecution is obliged to prove that the accused accepted, CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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obtained, or agreed to accept or agreed to obtain any

gratification as a motive or reward as contemplated by Section 7

of the PC Act. There is no doubt that the demand and

acceptance--the elements of the offence punishable under

Section 7 of the PC Act--can be proved by either direct

evidence or, in the absence of direct and documentary evidence,

by circumstantial evidence.

31. Here, the evidence of PW1 would show that when he

was admitted at CHC, Iritty, after an assault, the Doctor

(accused) demanded ₹250/- as bribe and in view of the said

demand on 22.09.2003, PW1 reached the residence of the

Doctor (accused) and paid ₹100/- on demand and the same was CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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accepted by the Doctor (accused). While accepting ₹100/-, he

again demanded for the balance amount of ₹150/- as on

24.09.2003 and when PW1 given ₹100/-, again, the doctor

(accused) did not accept the same and demanded to pay ₹150/-

as on 25.09.2003, and this aspect was deposed by PW8, who

accompanied PW1 on 25.09.2003. In turn PW1 informed the

same to the DySP Vigilance, and in continuation of pre-trap

proceedings, PW1 along with the vigilance party reached the

residence of the Doctor (accused), and as instructed by the DySP

Vigilance, PW1 met the Doctor (accused) who was sitting in a

chair in the varandah was informed and then the accused

demanded ₹150/- and pursuant to the said demand, as directed CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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by the Doctor (accused), PW1 placed MO1 series notes on the

teapoy. Soon PW1 came out, and gave signal as instructed by the

DySP, and in turn DySP and PW2 entered in the varandah of

the house of the Doctor (accused) and as part of conduct of

phenolphthalein test, the hand of the Doctor (accused) when

dipped in sodium carbonate solution, the solution turned pink

indicating acceptance of MO1 series by the accused from the

teapoy.

32. It is interesting to note that the trump card upon

which the learned counsel for the accused argued that there was

no acceptance is based on the submission that MO1 series was

placed on the top of the teapoy, and the Doctor (accused) did CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

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not directly receive the same. Regarding colour change in MO3

solution when the hand of the accused was dipped, the learned

counsel for the accused argued that in MO3 bottle, no such

solution was available at the time of evidence, and therefore, the

said evidence cannot be safely relied upon. In this matter, as

per the evidence of PW1, supported by the evidence of PW8,

there was demand for ₹250/- for discharging PW1 and he

accepted ₹100/- out of ₹250/- on 23.09.2003 and thereafter

when the accused continued the demand for ₹150/- more and

the same ended in trap proceedings.

33. Thus, the evidence available would suggest that the

accused demanded ₹250/- as on 22.09.2003 and accepted ₹100/- CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

- 40 -

2025:KER:53372

on 23.09.2003 and ₹150/- on 24.09.2003, thereby justifying the

ingredients to attract offences punishable under Section 7 and

Section 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of the PC Act. In the

said circumstances, the finding entered by the trial court in this

regard is only to be justified. Therefore, the conviction does not

require any interference.

34. Coming to the sentence, in consideration of the

request made by the learned counsel for the accused, I am

inclined to modify the same. Accordingly, the sentence of

imprisonment imposed for the offence punishable under Section

7 of the PC Act is modified for a period of three months and to

pay a fine of ₹1,000/-. In default of payment of fine, the accused CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

- 41 -

2025:KER:53372

shall undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two weeks.

For the offence under section 13(2) r/w Section 13(1)(d) of the

PC Act, 1988, the accused is sentenced to undergo simple

imprisonment for a period of two months, and to pay fine of

₹1000/-. In default of payment of fine, the accused shall

undergo simple imprisonment for a period of two weeks. The

substantive sentences shall run concurrently, and the default

sentence shall run concurrently. Set off will be allowed for the

period he was in custody in connection with this crime under

Section 428 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

35. In view of the finding above, the order suspending

sentence and the bail bond executed by the accused stand CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

- 42 -

2025:KER:53372

cancelled with direction to the accused to surrender before the

trial court to undergo the modified sentence forthwith. Failing

which, the trial court shall execute the sentence without fail.

The Registry is directed to forward a copy of this

judgment to the trial court forthwith for information and

further steps.

           ​   ​      ​   ​     ​    ​     ​    ​     Sd/-

                                          A.​BADHARUDEEN, JUDGE
   RMV​
 CRL.A NO. 685 OF 2010

                                 - 43 -




                                                      2025:KER:53372



PETITIONER ANNEXURES

Annexure A1             A TRUE COPY OF THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE DATED

21.6.2025 ISSUED BY DR.PRIYA U, CONSULTANT OPHTHALMOLOGIST OF DIVINE EYE HOSPITAL, IRITTY KARNNUR Annexure A2 A TRUE COPY OF THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE DATED 22.6.2025 ISSUED BY DR.ABDUL GAFOOR K.P., CONSULTANT PHYSICIAN OF THE NEW PAVANA HOSPITAL, CHAKKARAKKAL, KANNUR

 
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