Extremely Speedy CBI Action on Bribery Can Raise Doubts, Says Supreme Court
· India · Times of India, Hindustan Times
The Supreme Court has acquitted a former Railway Protection Force divisional security commissioner in a 2005 bribery case, noting that the CBI failed to prove the intermediary accepted the money on his behalf. The bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and N K Singh observed that the speed at which the CBI lodged the FIR and laid a trap within hours gave rise to suspicion that could not be brushed aside. The original 2005 complaint alleged the official demanded illegal gratification from subordinates for transfers and postings. The intermediary who accepted the bribe was granted a pardon by the investigating agency. The apex court held that criminality under the Prevention of Corruption Act does not arise merely because money changed hands, requiring reliable evidence that the third party acted under the direct authority of the accused.
Why it matters
This ruling sets a strict evidentiary standard for corruption cases involving intermediaries, requiring prosecution to directly link third-party bribe collection to the public servant.
Read the original report — Times of India
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.