Proof of bribe required to prove offense under Anti-Corruption Act: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Monday held that demand for a bribe on the part of a government servant and proof of its acceptance by the officer is necessary to establish an offense under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, which deals with illegal accepting bribes of public servants. is related.
Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act is meant to address offenses committed by public servants who take bribes. A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Abhay S Oka set aside the decision of the Telangana High Court. The High Court had convicted a woman government employee for the alleged offense under section 7 of the PC Act. This woman was a commercial tax officer in Secunderabad.
The bench, in its 17-page judgment, held that proof of demand for bribe on the part of a public servant and its acceptance is mandatory to establish an offense under section 7 of the PC Act. The Supreme Court gave this decision on a petition filed by the accused challenging the High Court’s decision. The bench said that in this case the evidence of the appellant regarding the demand of bribe of the complainant is absolutely not credible. As such, the woman is acquitted of all charges.
