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[Cites 5, Cited by 0]

Bangalore District Court

The State Of Karnataka vs K.A.Uthappa on 5 September, 2018

                                                                         Spl.C.160/2005
                                                1

  IN THE COURT OF THE LXXVI ADDITIONAL CITY CIVIL AND
   SESSIONS JUDGE AND SPECIAL JUDGE, BENGALURU CITY
                       (CCH­77)

   Present:     Sri Sachin Kaushik R.N.,
                                                B.Sc.,LL.M.,
                      LXXVI Addl.City Civil & Sessions Judge
                     & Special Judge, Bengaluru.

        Dated this the 5th  day of September 2018   

                         Spl.C.No.160/2005

Complainant                           The State of Karnataka, 
                                      By   Police   Inspector,   Karnataka
                                      Lokayukta   Police   Wing,   City   Division,
                                      Bengaluru.
                                      (Rep. By Spl.Public Prosecutor)
                                ­vs
­
Accused                               K.A.Uthappa, s/o K.N.Appaji, 65 years,
                                      former   Joint   Commissioner,
                                      Commercial   Tax   Department,
                                      Davangere.(now retired)
                                      (Rep.   By   Sri   Sandesh   J.   Chouta­
                                      Advocate)
1.

  Nature of Offence Offence   punishable   under   Section 13(1)(e)   R/w   13(2)   of   Prevention   of Corruption Act, 1988.

2.  Date of commission 8.5.2000      of offence 2 Spl.C No 160/2005

3.  Date of First 5.5.2000      Information 

4.  Date of recording of 20.4.2015      evidence 

5.  Date of closing of 21.8.2018      evidence

6.  Date of pronouncement 05.09.2018      of Judgment

7.  Result Acting   u/s   235(1)   Cr.P.C., the   accused   is   acquitted   of the   offence   punishable   u/s 13(1)(e)   R/w   13(2)   of Prevention of Corruption Act.

  3

Spl.C No 160/2005 J U D G M E N T The case of the prosecution is that the accused, being public servant, joined as Commercial Tax Officer on 5.8.1974, and from 5.8.1974   to   8.5.2000,   working   as   Joint   Commissioner   of Commercial   Taxes   as   on   8.5.2000,   has   made   Assets   of Rs.52,94,332.19, his expenditure was Rs.17,79,641.44.  The total of Assets & Expenditure comes to Rs.70,73,973.63.   His income was Rs.25,19,793.95, thereby his disproportionate assets comes to Rs.45,54,179.68   i.e.   180.73%.   The   Lokayukta  Police  have  filed charge sheet against the accused for the offence u/s 13(1)(e) R/w 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.  

2. The accused has denied the charges and claimed to be tried.

3. The prosecution has examined in all 7 witnesses and got 77 documents marked.

4. The accused has denied the allegations in his S.313 Cr.P.C. statement.

5. Heard Learned Spl.P.P and Learned Advocate for accused.

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Spl.C No 160/2005

6. The points that arise for determination are as follows:

1. Whether   the   prosecution   proves   beyond reasonable doubt that the accused has committed offence   punishable   u/s   13(1)(e)   R/w   13(2)   of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988?
2. What order?

7. The answers to the above points are:

       Point No.1:               In the Negative
       Point No.2:               As per the final order, for the
                                 following:



                               R E A S O N S

8. Points No.1:   PW1, Sri Venkatachalapathy, Panch witness, has   deposed   that,   on   5.5.2005,   he   &   CW2,   Veeranna,   went   to Lokayukta Office at 4.30 p.m.  Sri A.L.Desai, asked them to come the next day.   He was working as Sericulture Extension Officer. On 6.5.2000, he, CW2 & CW4, Roopa Rani had all come to office of   CW1,   Sri   A.L.Desai.   (He   has   been   on   9.2.2015,   reported,   as Dead). As accused was not available, they were asked to come on 7.5.2000.  At. 6.30 a.m., on 7.5.2000, all of them went to house of accused, at No.1131, West of Chord Road, Bengaluru.   Mahazar 5 Spl.C No 160/2005 was   conducted   and   marked   as   Ex.P1.     Gold   &   Silver   items, Passbooks & other items were seized.   

9. PW2,   Sri   Anice   Gonsalves,   working   as   Desk   Officer   in Finance   Department,   has   deposed   that,   the   Finance   Minister, accorded Sanction on 19.10.2005, after perusing all documents. He   has   executed   the   said   order   on   29.10.2005.     The   same   is marked as Ex.P2, and this court, finds the same, running into 4 pages, reasoned legal and valid.

10. PW3 Sri Sri K.N.Srinivasan, working as Assistant Engineer in Technical Wing, Karnataka Lokayukta then, has deposed that, he inspected   the   residential   building   of   accused   at   No.1131,   11 th Cross,   2nd  Stage,   West   of   Chord   Road,   Mahalakshmipuram, Bengaluru, on 4.5.2001 & 5.5.2001, in presence of accused, and found the building containing basement, ground, first and second floor   in   part.     The   basement,   ground   and   first   floor   were   built during 1989 to 1991 and second floor during 1997 to 2000.  The cost of construction, excluding site is Rs.19,91,000/­.  

11. PW3,  on   27.7.2001 and 28.7.2001, has also inspected the house of accused at Horuru, Somavarapet, Kodagu.   It contained basement, ground floor and first floor in part, constructed during 6 Spl.C No 160/2005 1996­97   and   the   cost   of   construction,   excluding   site   is Rs.12,08,000/­.  The valuation of both buildings is Rs.31,99,000/­, marked   at   Ex.P3.   Nothing   material   useful   has   come   in   cross­ examination of PW3.

12.   PW4, Sri Jayadeva Prakash, Joint Director of Statistical Wing of Karnataka Lokayukta then, has deposed that, on 31.8.2004, he received   letter   from   S.P.,   Lokayukta     to   furnish   expenses   of accused, and his family members from 5.8.1974 to 7.5.2000.  He assessed   based   on   Pay   Commission  Report  of  1985­86,  and  the National   Sample   Survey   Report   of   Karnataka,   for   1986­87,   and Consumer   Price   Index   of   Karnataka.     He   has   found   average domestic expenditure on food items, as Rs.4,62,246/­.   His note, Report & covering letter are marked as Ex.P3 to P6 respectively.

13. In the cross­examination, he has stated that, the family of accused,   comprised   of   accused,   his   wife   and   3   sons.     There   is nothing to disbelieve his evidence.

14. PW5,   Sri   A.N.Rajanna,   working   as   Dy.S.P.,   in   Lokayukta then,   has   deposed   that   on16.12.2002,   he   obtained     Report   of Educational   Expenses   of   children   of   accused   from   1993­94   to 1997­98   &   1997­98   to   1998­99   from   S.Nijalingappa     College, 7 Spl.C No 160/2005 Bengaluru.     The   same   is   marked   as   Ex.P7.   Report   from   Head Master, Vidyavardhaka Sanga High School, Bengaluru, is marked as Ex.P8 & Ex.P9 from 1992­93 to 1996­97, Ex.P10 is the letter of Principal,   M.S.Ramaiah   Institute   of   Technology   of   1999­2000, Ex.P11   is   letter   from   Vijayanagara   Club.   Ex.P12   is   letter   from Metropolitan   Club.   Ex.P13   is   letter   of   ISKON   about   donations made   by   accused.   Ex.P14   is   letter   of   Principal,   Dr.Ambedkar Technical   University,   of   fees   of   Abhinay   in   1998­89.     Ex.P15   is letter of Karnataka State Cricket Association Club House. Ex.P16 is letter   of   Principal,   National   College,   Jayanagar,   Bengaluru,   of Abhinay from 1996­98.

15. In the cross­examination, nothing useful to disbelieve above evidence   has   come   forth,   and   the   accused   has   admitted   the Educational expenses of his children in S.313 Cr.P.C. statement. 

16. PW6,   Sri   M.C.Dasharatha   Murthy,   working   as   Police Inspector in Karnataka Lokayukta then, has deposed that, he took charge from A.N.Rajanna, Dy.S.P., Lokayukta, as per Authorization dated 3.1.2003.  The said Authorization is marked as Ex.P17.  He received letter from Senior Sub­Registrar, Madikeri, on 30.1.2003 about details of Ashoka Plantations Pvt.Ltd., Ibni Valavadi village, from   1.4.1988   to   29.1.2003.   The   same   is   marked   as   Ex.P18.

8

Spl.C No 160/2005 Ex.P19   is   letter   of   Tahsildar,   Madikeri   with   respect   to   lands   in Sy.No.74, 75, 78/6, 88/13, 87 and 97/2 of Ibni Valavadi village. Ex.P20 identified by him, is letter of Manager of Customer Care of Citi Bank, furnishing statement of accounts, Ex.P21 is also letter of Tahsildar,   Madikeri,   with   RTC   Extracts   &   Jamabandi.   Ex.P22   is letter of LIC, Virajpet, Ex.P23 is letter of Syndicate Bank, Madikeri, Ex.P24 is letter of BESCOM.

17. Ex.P18, page 478 of volume1, shows accused as joint owner with   his   brother,   K.A.Prabhakara,   of   land   bearing   Sy.No.78/6, 88/13, & 87, showing purchase for Rs.7 lakhs on 8.12.1988.  The document is given by Senior Sub­Registrar, Madikeri, and half of 7 lakhs i.e., Rs.3.5 lakhs has been taken under Asset of accused.  It is a   public   document,   and   has   not   been   specifically   denied   by accused.   Ex.P20   shows   Rs.92,203/­   as   balance   in   Citi   Bank,   in name of Avinash, which can be taken in Assets.

18.     PW7,   Sri   M.S.Srinivas,   working   as   Police   Inspector   in Lokayukta, Davangere then, has deposed that, the file was handed over   to  him,   as  accused was  working as  Joint  Commissioner  of Commercial Tax in Davangere. Ex.P25 is his Authorization dated 18.8.2004.   

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Spl.C No 160/2005

19. Ex.P25 to P30 shows the details of vehicles of accused and his family members.  Maruti Esteem Car No.KA­05­N­4004, stands in name of seller, N.Chandrashekar Reddy, as shown in Ex.P27 & P28.   It belongs to wife of accused, Nalini as shown in Ex.P26. Ex.P29 shows purchase price of Yamaha RX 125 KA­02­Y­8117, as Rs.46,080/­.  

20.  Explanation of accused with Schedules is marked as Ex.P31.

21. PW7 has identified the I.T.Returns of accused and his wife and two sons, Abhinay Thimmaiah & Avinash Uttappa.  The same are marked as Ex.P32 to P36.  Salary details of accused is marked as Ex.P37 and P40, showing total salary as Rs.20,42,963.95.  

22.  PW7 identifies the Expenditure & Maintenance details of 2 two wheelers and 1 four wheeler of accused.  The same is marked as   Ex.P38.     Ex.P39   is   details   of   D.A.arrears,   showing   total   of Rs.1,31,506/­.     The   food   expenditure   details   is   shown   as Rs.4,62,246/­ as per Ex.P4 to P6.  

23. PW7,   further   identifies   the   Tax   details   of   H.No.870, Thonachikoppal, Mysuru, of accused, as Rs.6,288/­.   The same is 10 Spl.C No 160/2005 marked as Ex.P41.  Rs.58,681/­ is telephone expenses of accused, marked as Ex.P42.

24. PW7   further   states   that,   the   accused's   brother,   Prabhakar, sold  land  to Ashoka Plantations for Rs.7,00,000/­, and covering letter   of   Sub­Registrar,   Mercara,   is   marked   as   Ex.P43,   and   the certified copy of registered sale deed is marked as Ex.P44.  Ex.P45 is the NSC  details  of accused, showing face value of Rs.5000/­. Ex.P46 is the Tax details of House No.1131, showing total tax paid amount   of   Rs.16,426/­.    Ex.P47   is   the   Horticultural   income   of accused, which is Rs.34,31,800/­.

25. PW7   further   states   that,   he   got   the   details   of   Educational expenses of 3 children of accused.  The same is marked as Ex.P48, which   shows   Rs.555/­   for   LKG   of   Abhinaya,   Rs.8,900/­, Rs.10,971/­   &   another   Rs.10,971/­   paid   in   Residential   School, Bengaluru, and also Rs.555/­ paid in Sri Arvindo Vidya Mandir. He has shown the total expenses as Rs.1,10,456.50, in his Final Report.  

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Spl.C No 160/2005

26. PW7   identifies   Ex.P49   that   gives   details   of   house   loan   of accused.  The accused had taken loan of Rs.2,00,000/­ and repaid by paying Rs.4,06,049/­.   Ex.P50 is the tax paid over the house, that shows total amount paid, as Rs.9,600/­. 

27. PW7 also states that he has collected details of agricultural tax   paid   by   accused,   which   is   Rs.8,058/­,   marked   as   Ex.P51. Ex.P52 is the details of amount paid by accused on gas cylinders, which is total Rs.15,188.92. Ex.P53 is the Income Tax Returns of the accused from 1993­94.   Ex.P54 is the details of rent received by   accused   on   House   No.870   in   Mysuru,   which   is   Rs.56,600/­. Ex.P57 is the APR of accused.   Ex.P58 is the details of tax paid over   land   bearing   Sy.No.155/5   in   Somavarapet,   that   shows payment of Rs.2,542/­.  Ex.P61 is the letter of AEE, BESCOM that shows the total expenditure of Rs.79,113.72.   Ex.P62 is the Final Report.  

28. PW7 further states that the accused gave donation to ISKON, which is marked as Ex.P66, showing donation of Rs.51,111/­, from 22.12.1994 to 5.9.1997.  The Source Report is marked as Ex.P67. The Authorization dated 5.5.2000 is marked as Ex.P68, and FIR as 12 Spl.C No 160/2005 Ex.P69, and Panchanama dated 8.5.2000 as Ex.P70.  Ex.P71 is the details   of   agricultural   income,   in   Sy.No.151/1.    Ex.P71   is   the Horticultural income of accused, which comes to Rs.13,54,700/­. Ex.P73 is the details of agricultural income of accused, showing the net total agricultural income as Rs.1,54,330/­.   Ex.P74 toP76 are   also   the   details   of   agricultural   income   and   expenditure. Ex.P77 is the salary details of accused.

29. In   the   cross­examination,   PW7,   has   stated   that,   the disproportionate assets is Rs.45,54,179.68.   In paragraph No.50, page   No.23,   as   well   as   paragraph   No.46,   page   No.21,   of   his deposition,   he   has   clearly   said   that,   he   has   shown   Agriculture, Horticulutre,   Coffee   &   Commercial   crops   income   of   accused   as Rs.44,78,760/­ in Final Report, Ex.P62, on the strength of Reports at Exs.P47, 72, 73, 75 & 76.  He says that, he has not included the same, as it was not shown by accused in his I.T.Returns and not fully shown in APR.  The same i.e., para No.46 is as such, " I have not   included   the   agriculture,   horticulture   and   coffee   and commercial crops income of total Rs.44,78,000/­ of accused, as it was not fully shown in APR.  The said income of Rs.44,78,760/­ is shown in Ex.P75 and 76, report of Sr.Liaison Officer, Coffee Board and   Ex.P73,   report   of   Asst.Director   of   Horticulture,   Zilla 13 Spl.C No 160/2005 Panchayath,   Mercara   and   Ex.P47,   which   is   the   report   of Sr.Horticulture Officer, ZP, Somwarpet."   Paragraph No.50, is as such,   "   It   is   true   that,   the   accused   had   agricultural   income   of Rs.44,78,760/­ as per my final report.  Witness volunteers that, the accused being Agricultural Income Tax Officer from 1981 to 1984 has   not   shown   the   same   in   his   I.T.returns.     Witness   volunteers that,   the   accused   has   started   filing   I.T.returns   from   1993­94 onwards."

30. Just   because   accused   has   not   shown   in   I.T.Returns,   the actual income shown in Ex.P47, 72, 73, 75 & 76, generated out of 15.26   acres   in   Somvarpet,   21.28   acres   on   Kaggodu   &   Koddur, 30.43 acres in Horur, shown in paragraphs No.51, 54, 55 of his deposition, Rs.44,78,760/­  should not have been excluded.  This court finds the exclusion, wrong and improper.   Further, PW7 in paragraph   No.52   of   his   deposition,   has   said   that   accused   has subsquently paid Agricultural Income Tax of Rs.8,058/­ as shown in   Ex.P51.     Ex.P47   alone   shows   that   income   as  Rs.34,31,800/­, paragraph 16 of deposition.

31.  At paragraph No.53, page No.25 as well as para No.22, page No.10, paragraph No.44, page No.20, of deposition of PW7, PW7 has admitted that the Rental income of Rs.56,600­ as shown in 14 Spl.C No 160/2005 Ex.P54, generated out of House No.870 in Mysuru is excluded, as this too was not shown in Income Tax Returns, but shown in APR &   Schedule,   Ex.P31.     He   also   admits   at   paragraph   No.44   that, Rs.4,00,000/­ sale consideration of said house i.e., house No.870, is not included in income, as it was not shown in I.T.Returns.

32. PW7 has included the purchase price of H.No.870 in Assets, then,   he   had   to   show   the   subsequent   sale   by   accused   for Rs.4,00,000/­   and   Rental   income   of   Rs.56,600/­   in   income. Because, it is not shown in I.T.Returns, same cannot be rejected or excluded, moreso, when at paragraph No.56, page No.26, he says that, the accused utilizing said Rs.4,00,000/­, has purchased site No.1131,   in   Mahalakshmipuram,  Bengaluru.   He  shows   the  site value in assets, but does not show sale consideration received by accused in income.  This too, this court finds wrong & improper.

33.   The decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court reported in State of   Tamil   Nadu   ­v­   N.Suresh   Rajan   &   ors,   dated   6.1.2014,   and decision   of   Hon'ble   High   Court   of   Karnataka,   in   S.P.Raju,   s/o Papaiah ­v­ Lokayukta, dated 2.3.2016, is applicable, wherein, it is held that, the Income Tax Returns or the A.P.Rs, cannot be treated as conclusive evidence.

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Spl.C No 160/2005

34. If the said        Rs.44,78,760/­  Agricultural, Horticultural,                                                           coffee & commercial income                                 Rs.  4,00,000/­  Sale consideration received     Rs.     56,600/­  Rental income   ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­                 Total:      Rs.49,35,360/­   ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ is included in Income, the Income exceeds, Assets & Expenditure, and there is no disproportionate assets of Rs.45,54,179.68 .

35.           This   court   finds   the   Assets,   Expenditure   &   Income   of accused as follows:

Assets sl.no. Description of assets Amount  (Rs.) 1 Salary particulars        3,41,494­90 2 Cost of site and house constructed on      22,05,000­00 site No.1131, West of Chord Road, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru 3 Cost   of   house   bearing   No.155/3,        6,04,000­00 Horuru Village 4 Cost   of   house   No.870,        1,49,067­67 Saraswathipuram, Mysuru 5 Site No.453, Sector No.F­2, Fane Ideal        1,51,200­00 Home   Township,   Kenchanahalli, Bengaluru South Taluk 6 Site   No.163/02   Fane   Ideal   Home             55,000­00 16 Spl.C No 160/2005 Township, Kenchanahalli, Bengaluru 7 Land measuring 20,19 guntas at Horur         3,50,000­00 village,   Suntikoppa   Taluk,   Kodagu District, standing in the joint names of accused's   Officer   &   his   brother K.A.Prabhakara 8   Maruti   Esteem   X   car   No.KA­05­N­        2,40,055­00 4004 9 Yamaha Motorcycle           46,080­00 10 Cash             3,500­00 11 Gold ornaments           67,040­00 12 Silver articles           15,000­00 13 Household articles        9,48,690­00 14 4 NSCs             5,000­00 15 Telephone expenses No.23496026             2,160­00 16 HUF share amount            34,670­00 17 HUF Policy No.720064652­ paid             8,470­00 18 Membership   fee   of   Karnataka   State           15,000­00 Cricket Association, Bengaluru  19 Membership fee of Vijayanagara club,             1,100­00 Bengaluru  20 Membership fee of Metropolitan  Club             5,000­00 Bengaluru 21 Syndicate   Bank,   Madikere,   S.B.A/c                   255­85 No.13417 22 Citi   Bank,   Bengaluru,   A/c                   724­96 No.5:029171­809 23 Citi   Bank,   Bengaluru,   A/c                   815­26 17 Spl.C No 160/2005 No.516865880 24 Canara   Bank,   Bengaluru,   S.B.A/c              26,693­82 No.00017171 25 Corporation   Bank,   Rajajinagar,                5,098­75 Bengaluru, S.B.A/c No.23210 26 State Bank of Mysuru, West of Chord              10,347­03 Road, Bengaluru, S.B.A/c No.8854 27 Canara   Bank,   Bengaluru,   S.B.A/c                1,235­65 No.10543 28 Canara   Bank,   Bengaluru,   S.B.A/c                1,633­30 No.10541                                          Total: 52,94,332­19 Expenditure Sl.no. Description of Expenditure Amount(Rs.) 1 Educational expenses      1,10,446­50 2 Household expenses      4,62,246­00 3 Monthly   premium   towards   Karnataka           4.725­00 Stores Cricket Association, Bengaluru 4 Annual premium to Vijayanagar Club,           4,260­00 Bengaluru 5 Annual premium to Metropolitan club,              360­00 Bengaluru 6 Amount   paid   through   cheque   to         51,111­00 International   Society   for   Krishna Consciousness, Bengaluru 7 Expenses towards Gas cylinders         15,188­92 8 Telephone charges              58,681­00 9 Tax for site No.1131                6,720­00 18 Spl.C No 160/2005 10 Tax for site No.453, Ideal Homes              23,670­00 11 Tax for site No.163/02 Ideal Homes                6,640­00 12 Vehicle expenses              16,365­00 13 Insurance   &   Tax   paid   to   Yamaha   RX                2,705­00 125 14 Water   charges   to   H.No.1131,              16,324­40 Bengaluru  15 Electricity charges to H.No.1131,               79,113­72 Bengaluru 16 Income   Tax   Returns   of   family             26,422­00 members of accused.
17 Repayment   of   loan   obtained   from          4,06,049­00 Canfin Homes Ltd.
18 Property   tax   with   respect   of   House             16,426­00 No.1131, Bengaluru  19 Agricultural   Income   tax   in   respect   of               8,058­00 land in Horuru village 20 Property   tax   in   respect   of   H.No.870,              6,288­00 Thonachikoppal, Mysuru 21 Stamp   &   Registration   charges   in            52,520­00 respect  of  land  in  the  joint  names of accused & his brother Prabhakar 22 Expenses towards cultivation of coffee            23,570­00 23 Property tax paid to house property in              2,542­00 Horuru village 24 Purchase of Ambassador car No.MYM­            20,000­00 7965 25 Purchase   of   Maruti   800   Car   No.CKP           60,000­00 874 26 Professional Tax           13,994­00 19 Spl.C No 160/2005 27 Income Tax        1,28,961­30 28 House Board Allowance           60,317­90 29 Motor cycle Advance           60,560­00 30 PWD expenses             7,455­00 31 ADA             1,074­00 32  R.V.D           18,678­00 33     Miscalleneous expenses             8,169­70                              Total expenses:      17,79,641­44       Income Sl.no. Description of Expenditure Amount(Rs.) 1 Salary and other allowances      20,42,963­95 2 Loan   obtained   from   Canfin   Homes        2,00,000­00 P.Ltd 3 Loan   obtained   from   Canara   Bank,           25,000­00 Rajajinagar Branch, Bengaluru 4 Refund   amount   from   Income   Tax           32,930­00 Department 5 HBA   Amount   received   from          74,400­00 Government by accused   6 Vehicle Advance received          77,000­00 7 Sale   consideration   received   from   sale          17,500­00 of Ambassador car 8 Sale   consideration   received   from   sale          50,000­00 of Maruti car No.CKP 874 9 Agricultural,   Horticultural,   Coffee   &     44,78,760­00 Commercial income 20 Spl.C No 160/2005 10 Sale consideration of Mysuru House       4,00,000­00 No.870 11 Rental   income   of   Mysuru   House          56,600­00 No.870                                      Total:      74,55,153­95             Assets :                Rs.52,94,332­19    +      Expenditure:       Rs.17,79,641­44                                       ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­                Total:               Rs.70,73,973­63   ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­                                            

36. Income is more than Assets & Expenditure.   Therefore, for the said reasons, this court has come to the conclusion that, the prosecution   has   failed   to   prove   the   guilt   of   accused,   beyond reasonable doubt.   The benefit of doubt is given to accused, and Point No.1 is answered in the Negative.

37. Point No.2:­ For   the   aforesaid   reasons,   this   court proceeds to pass the following:

O R D E R  Acting   u/s   235(1)   Cr.P.C.,   the   accused   is acquitted of  the offence punishable u/s  13(1)(e) 21 Spl.C No 160/2005 R/w 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act. Bail bond of accused stands cancelled.
  (Dictated   to   the   Judgment   writer,   on   computer,   and   then pronounced   by   me   in   the   open   court   on   this   the  5th  day   of September 2018)                                                                                 (Sachin Kaushik R.N)       LXXVI Addl.City Civil & Sessions Judge &  Special Judge, Bengaluru City 22 Spl.C No 160/2005 A N N E X U R E  List of witnesses examined on behalf of the prosecution :
PW1     K.NVenkatachalapathi
PW2     Anice Gonsalves
PW3     K.S.Srinivasan
PW4     Jayadeva Prakash
PW5     A.N.Rajanna
PW6     M.C.Dasharathamurthy
PW7     M.S.Srinivas

List of documents marked on behalf of prosecution:
Ex.P.1 Search mahazar dated 7.5.2000 Ex.P.1(a) to (m) Signatures of PW1 Ex.P.2  Sanction order  Ex.P.2   (a)   and Signatures of PW1
(b) Ex.P.3 Valuation report dated 3.3.2013 Ex.P.4 Food expenditure report Ex.P.4(a) Signature of the PW4 Ex.P.5 Domestic expenses estimate Ex.P.5(a) Signature of PW4 Ex.P.6 Covering letter Ex.P.6(a)  Signature of the PW4 Ex.P.7  Report  Ex.P.8  Report Ex.P9 to 16  letters Ex.P.17 Authorization & Notification 23 Spl.C No 160/2005 Ex.P18 Letter from Senior Sub­Inspector,  Madikeri Ex.P.19 Letter from Tahsildar, Madikere along with Jamabandi Ex.P.20 Letter from Citi Bank Manager Ex.P.21 RTC extract Ex.P.22 Letter from LIC office, Virajpet Ex.P.23 Letter from Syndicate Bank, Madikeri Ex.P.24 Letter   from   Assisstant   Executive Engineer(Electrical) Ex.P.25 Authorization Ex.P.26  Covering letter dated 23.8.2004 Ex.P.27 & 28 B­extract of Maruti Esteem car Ex.P.29 Letter dated 11.1.05 Ex.P.30 B­extract of motorcycle  Ex.P.31 Explanation Ex.P.32 Covering letter dated 22.9.2004 Ex.P.33 IT returns Ex.P.34 IT returns  Ex.P.35 Income tax returns Ex.P.36 Documents   received   from   Income   tax officer  Ex.P.37 Salary details of accused Ex.P.38 Details of 2 two wheelers Ex.P.39 Details of DA arrears Ex.P.40 Details of accused  Ex.P.41 Letter to Commissioner, Mysore Ex.P.42 Details of landline telephone Ex.P.43 Covering letter Ex.P.44 Registered sale deed Ex.P.45 Letter to Post Master Ex.P.46 Letter to Commissioner, BDA Ex.P.47 Letter to Horticultural Department 24 Spl.C No 160/2005 Ex.P.48 Details   of   educational   expenses   of children of accused Ex.P.49 Letter   to   Assistant   General   Manager, Canfin Homes Ex.P.50 Letter to commissioner, Muda, Mysuru Ex.P.51 Letter   to   Asst.Director,   lAgricultural Income Tax Officer Ex.P.52 Letters   to   Indane   Gas   &   Himu Distributor Ex.P.53 Letter   to   Income   tax   Officer,   ward No.3, Davangere Ex.P.54 Letter to Deputy Conservator of Forest, Social forest Division, Mysuru Ex.P.55 & 56 Letter to A.C. Mercara Ex.P57 Letter to Commissioner of commercial Taxes Ex.P.58 Letters to Secretary, Gramapanchayat Ex.P.59 Letter   to   LIC,   Richmond   road, Bengaluru Ex.P.60 Letter to Canara Bank Branch Manager, Bengaluru Ex.P.61 Reply of AEE, BESCOM Ex.P.62 Final Report Ex.P.63 Letter to Tahsildar, Mercara Ex.P.64 Letter   to   Branch   Manager,   Canara Bank, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru Ex.P.65 Letter   to   Joint   Director   Commercial Taxes, Davangere Ex.P.66 Information from President, ISKON Ex.P.67 Source Report  Ex.P.68 Letter dated 5.5.2000 Ex.P.69 FIR 25 Spl.C No 160/2005 Ex.P.70  Panchanama  Ex.P.71 Letter   to   Commisioner   of   Commercial Tax Ex.P.72 Details of Horticultural income Ex.P.73 Agricultural   details   of   accused   from Somavarapet Ex.P.74 Agricultural   details   of   accused   from Mercara Ex.P.75 Expenditure   statement   of   land   of accused in Kaggodlu village Ex.P.76 Details of accused furnished to Liaison Officer, Mercara Ex.P.77 Particulars of accused  List of witnesses examined on behalf of the accused:
                 ­Nil­ List of documents marked on behalf of the accused:    
                  
­Nil­                (Sachin Kaushik R.N)  LXXVI Addl.City Civil & Sessions Judge &   Special Judge,  Bengaluru City 26 Spl.C No 160/2005 27 Spl.C No 160/2005 28 Spl.C No 160/2005 29 Spl.C No 160/2005 30 Spl.C No 160/2005