Recently, the Supreme Court expressed serious concern over the destruction of alleged bribe money by “rats and rodents” in a corruption case arising from Bihar, while granting bail to a woman officer convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The matter came before the bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan in a petition filed by Aruna Kumari, who was serving as a Child Development Programme Officer at the relevant time. She had faced trial for offences under Sections 7 and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The Trial Court had acquitted her of all charges. However, the Patna High Court later reversed the acquittal and convicted her, sentencing her to four years’ rigorous imprisonment under Section 13(2) and three years under Section 7 of the Act.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court took note of a striking observation made by the High Court that the envelope containing the seized bribe money had allegedly been destroyed by rats and rodents due to improper storage conditions in the Malkhana. The High Court had nevertheless relied upon the Malkhana register and other surrounding circumstances to uphold the conviction.
Reacting sharply to this explanation, the Supreme Court observed, “We are taken by surprise that the currency notes got destroyed by rodents.” The Court further remarked that it wondered how many such seized currency notes in corruption cases were getting destroyed because they were not being kept safely, calling it “a huge revenue loss for the State.” The Bench also stated that the explanation offered for the destruction of the currency notes did not inspire confidence.
While issuing notice and granting leave, the Supreme Court suspended the substantive sentence imposed by the High Court and ordered the release of the appellant on bail, subject to conditions imposed by the Trial Court. The Court also indicated that it would examine the issue of destruction of seized currency in greater detail during the final hearing of the matter.
Case Title: Aruna Kumari v. The Economic Offences Unit
Case No.: Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 7601/2025
Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Hon’ble Mr. Justice K.V. Viswanathan
Counsel for the Petitioner: Mr. S. Nagamuthu, Sr. Adv., Mr. Hitendra Nath Rath, AOR, Mr. Vikash Kumar Sinha, Adv., Ms. Laxmi, Adv.
Counsel for the Respondent: Not Mentioned
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