Jaipur CBI Court Acquits Former BSNL Officer in Decade-Old Bribery Case
A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Jaipur has acquitted former additional general manager (AGM) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Bipin Kumar Roy, in a bribery case dating back to 2016. The court delivered its verdict on March 10, emphasizing that "mere recovery of alleged bribe money is not sufficient to prove the offence" unless the prosecution can establish a clear demand and voluntary acceptance of the bribe.
Court Cites Lack of Evidence for Demand and Acceptance
In its detailed order, the court held that the prosecution "failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused demanded the bribe or willingly accepted it." Consequently, Roy was granted the benefit of doubt and acquitted of all charges. The ruling underscores the legal principle that conviction in bribery cases requires concrete evidence of both demand and acceptance, not just the recovery of funds.
Defense Highlights Flaws in Prosecution's Case
Counsel for the petitioner, Deepak Chauhan, explained that the court meticulously reviewed all evidence presented during the trial. This included recorded audio conversations, transcripts, and witness statements. "After evaluating the evidence, the court found that neither the recordings nor their transcripts clearly indicated that the accused demanded a bribe," Chauhan stated. He further argued that the sanction for prosecution was not granted in accordance with established rules, and no work of the complainant was pending with the accused at the time.
Background of the Case
According to case details, contractor Sunil Kumar filed a complaint with the CBI on January 7, 2016. Kumar alleged that he was engaged in underground Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) laying work and had pending bills with the department. He claimed that Roy demanded a bribe amounting to 2 percent of the bill value to clear these payments. Based on this complaint, the CBI conducted a trap operation and allegedly caught the officer accepting Rs 50,000 as a bribe. A chargesheet was subsequently filed in court, leading to the trial.
Implications of the Acquittal
This acquittal highlights the challenges in prosecuting bribery cases where evidence of demand is ambiguous. It reinforces the judiciary's role in ensuring that convictions are based on solid proof, protecting individuals from wrongful prosecution. The case also draws attention to procedural requirements, such as proper sanction for prosecution, which can impact the outcome of legal proceedings.
