Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 6: In a stern message against corruption, the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court in Jammu has awarded a two-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs 20,000 to a Junior Engineer (JE) working in the Electrical Department. The conviction comes as the third consecutive verdict in a trap case within a span of just five months, demonstrating the judiciary's commitment to upholding the rule of law.
The case revolved around a corruption allegation in which the JE, identified as Sh. Ved Parkash from Parihote, Doda, was found guilty of demanding and accepting a bribe. It was alleged that he had demanded Rs. 20,000 from a complainant for processing a power connection request to operate a flour mill in Kanhal village, Bishnah. The agreement between the complainant and the accused involved a bribe amount, of which Rs. 5,000 was paid as the first installment to the accused on October 14, 2017.
Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, Tahir Khurshid Raina, observed that the recent string of convictions in trap cases underscores the presence of corruption within officialdom. The court expressed concerns about the continued existence and spread of corruption, despite having laws and systems in place to combat it.
The court also highlighted the need for effective strategies to eradicate corruption entirely, emphasizing that it is a significant threat to society and the nation. The judiciary called on authorities to devise innovative and impactful approaches to fulfill the mandate of the "Rule of Law" enshrined in the Constitution.
While recognizing the delay in deciding such cases and the impact it has on the accused, the court placed responsibility on the prosecution for the delays. The court found no blameworthy conduct on the part of the convict during the investigation or trial. The accused's family circumstances and lack of a prior history of misconduct in the department were also considered while determining the sentence.
The convict has been sentenced to one year of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000 for offenses under Section 4-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006, and one year of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000 for offenses under Section 5(2) of the Act. Both sentences will run concurrently. In case of non-payment of the fine, the convict will serve an additional three months of imprisonment.
The convict, who was on bail, had his bail bonds canceled, and he has been taken into custody to serve his sentences in the District Jail Amphalla, Jammu.
This verdict reaffirms the commitment of the judiciary to tackle corruption and uphold the principles of justice and accountability within the government system. |
