K.K.Jayaraj vs State Of Kerala

Sunil Thomas, J

The petitioner herein is the accused in VC.No.1/2022 of VACB, Alappuzha, for offence punishable under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The crux of the prosecution allegation is that, the petitioner, who was the Revenue Inspector in Municipal Office, Alappuzha demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs.500/- (Rupees five hundred only) on 05.02.2022 and demanded a further sum of Rs.2000/-(Rupees two thousand only) on 09.02.2022 from the defacto complainant, for changing the ownership of the residential building No.1/89 to his wife’s name. The defacto complainant laid a complaint to the Vigilance and in the course of allegedly accepting a sum of Rs.2000/-(Rupees two thousand only) from the defacto complainant as bribe on 09.02.2022 at 3.20 pm at the Municipal Office, Alappuzha, the petitioner was arrested. After initial informalities, he was produced before the Magistrate on 10.02.2022 and was remanded. His bail application was rejected by the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Kottayam by order dated 17.02.2022 in Crl.M.P.6/2022. Seeking bail, the petitioner has approached this court.

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Senior Government Pleader.

Opposing the application, the learned senior Government Pleader placed before me a statement which disclosed that the investigation of the case is in preliminary stage. Many witnesses are to be questioned and lot of reliable documents are to be seized. An apprehension was also raised by the learned senior Government Pleader that if the petitioner is released on bail, he is likely to influence the witnesses. The learned senior Government Pleader further submitted that there is a chance that the petitioner may flee from justice.

Learned counsel for the petitioner seeking bail submitted that the petitioner is a handicapped person that the substantial part of the investigation is over with search, seizure and arrest and that the petitioner has an unblemished record of service. It was also submitted that the petitioner is in the verge of his retirement.

It seems that the substantial part of the investigation is over with the trap and the successful completion of the trap proceedings. The crucial witnesses seems to have been questioned and their statements recorded. Having considered these facts, I find that at this length of time the petitioner can be granted bail on the following conditions:

The petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.60,000/- (Rupees sixty thousand only) with two sureties for the like sum each to the satisfaction of the court below.

He shall co-operate with the investigation and shall appear before the investigating officer as and when called for.

He shall not in any manner attempt to threaten, coerce, or influence the witnesses.

Bail application is allowed.