A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Ahmedabad has delivered its verdict in a long-pending corruption case, sentencing a former Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) inspector and a lawyer to two years of rigorous imprisonment. The court also imposed a combined fine of Rs 1.5 lakh on the convicted individuals for demanding illegal gratification.
The Trap and Arrest
The case dates back to January 15, 2009, when the CBI registered an FIR against Anil Kumar Sharma, who was then serving as a recovery inspector at the DRT, and advocate Amit Kotak. The duo was accused of demanding a bribe of Rs 3.5 lakh from a complainant. The illegal payment was allegedly sought to resolve an issue related to the auction of three properties and to postpone the execution process for a property, already auctioned, that belonged to the complainant's cousin.
According to the prosecution, Sharma had specified that an initial payment of Rs 1 lakh was to be made, with the remaining Rs 2.5 lakh to be paid later. Acting swiftly on the complaint, the CBI set up a trap. The plan led to the red-handed apprehension of advocate Amit Kotak while he was accepting the first installment of Rs 1 lakh from the complainant. Subsequently, both Sharma and Kotak were arrested on January 16, 2009. The agency also conducted simultaneous searches at their residences and offices to gather further evidence.
Legal Proceedings and Final Judgment
Following a thorough investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet against the accused on November 26, 2009. The legal process culminated on Tuesday when the special CBI court pronounced the sentence. The court found the evidence against Sharma and Kotak compelling and convicted them under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The sentence of two years' rigorous imprisonment underscores the judiciary's stance against corruption within official and legal frameworks. The additional financial penalty of Rs 1.5 lakh adds a further punitive and deterrent dimension to the judgment.
A Message Against Corruption
This conviction is a significant example of the legal system holding public servants and officers of the court accountable. The case highlights the effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies like the CBI in laying traps based on citizen complaints and securing convictions even years after the crime was committed. It sends a clear message that attempts to misuse official position for personal gain will meet with strict legal consequences.
The 2009 bribery case, now closed with this sentencing, serves as a reminder of the prolonged but persistent nature of judicial processes in bringing corrupt individuals to justice.
