A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Ahmedabad has delivered a significant verdict in a long-pending corruption case, sentencing a former recovery inspector of the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) and an advocate to rigorous imprisonment. The court found them guilty of demanding and accepting a bribe to manipulate auction proceedings.
The Charges and the Trap
According to the CBI's case, the matter came to light on January 15, 2009, when a complaint was registered against Anil Kumar Sharma, the then recovery inspector at the DRT, and advocate Amit Kotak. The complainant alleged that the duo had demanded a bribe of Rs 3.50 lakh. The money was solicited to settle an issue related to the auction of three properties and to defer the execution process of a property that had already been auctioned. This property belonged to the cousin of the complainant.
Acting on this information, the CBI laid a trap. In a decisive operation, Amit Kotak was caught red-handed while accepting an amount of Rs 1 lakh as part of the total bribe demand. This led to the immediate arrest of both Amit Kotak and Anil Kumar Sharma on January 16, 2009.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted simultaneous searches at the residential and office premises of both accused individuals. The agency gathered evidence to build a strong case, culminating in the filing of a chargesheet in November 2009. The legal process, which spanned over a decade, finally reached its conclusion with the recent court ruling.
The CBI court, after examining the evidence and arguments, convicted both Sharma and Kotak. The judge sentenced each of them to two years of rigorous imprisonment. In addition to the jail term, the court imposed a substantial financial penalty, slapping a fine of Rs 1.50 lakh on each convict.
Verdict and Its Implications
This judgment underscores the judiciary's firm stance against corruption within public institutions and the legal system itself. The case involved officers and professionals entrusted with upholding the law, making their misconduct a serious breach of trust. The sentencing sends a clear message about the consequences of exploiting official positions for personal gain.
The Debt Recovery Tribunal, a quasi-judicial body crucial for resolving high-value bank recovery cases, relies on integrity and impartiality. This verdict reinforces the ongoing efforts by agencies like the CBI to cleanse such critical institutions of corrupt practices and ensure they function for the public good.
