Corruption Has Become Rampant In Govt. Offices, No Files Moved Without Bribe: Karnataka High Court

While refusing bail to a man accused of demanding bribe, the Karnataka High Court has observed that corruption has become rampant in government offices and that files were not moved without bribe.

"Now a days, in the Government office, the corruption has become rampant and no file will be moved without any bribe.", the bench of Justice K. Natarajan noted.

The Court was dealing with a bail application of a man who being an assistant engineer with the Bangalore Development Authority was accused of demanding bribe of Rs. 1 crore.

It was alleged in the complaint that the complainant had filed an application before the BDA for providing an alternate site as BDA had utilised the land of original owners for formation of road without any acquisition proceedings.

When the application was filed by the complainant, the petitioner-accused, demanded an amount of Rs.1 crore and the petitioner bargained to receive Rs. 60 lakhs and accordingly, Rs.5 lakhs was handed over by the defacto complainant.

The petitioner was trapped by the Anti Corruption Bureau and Rs. 5 lakhs was seized from his possession and he was arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

His bail petition came to be rejected by the Special Judge following which he approached High Court.

Senior Advocate CV Nagesh appeared for the petitioner-accused whereas Special Public Prosecutor Manmohan PN appeared for the State.

The Court noted that "The telephonic conversation and the hand wash made by the ACB, all reveal that the petitioner accepted the tainted notes wherein the police smeared phenolphthalein powder."

The Court further observed that the investigation was under process and the police was yet to receive some information.

"The investigation is still under progress. The police are yet to receive some more information regarding voice sample report, FSL report etc. which reveals that there is prima facie case made out by the prosecution at this stage to show that the petitioner has demanded and accepted the bribe amount. The enactment of work entrusted was also pending with him as on the date of trap.", the Court observed.

Therefore, the Court dismissed the bail application filed by the petitioner-accused.

Cause Title- B.T. Raju v. State of Karnataka

Click here to read/download the Order