What Sentence Did the CBI Court Impose on Varanasi Clerk in Bribery Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rajesh Kumar was sentenced to five years in prison.
- A fine of Rs 1 lakh was imposed.
- The incident highlights issues of corruption in public service.
- The CBI acted swiftly to apprehend Kumar.
- The case emphasizes the need for accountability in governance.
Lucknow, Sep 13 (NationPress) The Special Judge's Court for the CBI in Lucknow has found Rajesh Kumar, a Senior Assistant (Clerk) in the Sanitary & Support Services at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, guilty of bribery and sentenced him to five years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh, as announced in a statement on Saturday.
The incident traces back to June 2, 2016, when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Kumar. He was accused of soliciting a bribe of Rs 75,000 from the complainant to expedite the processing and disbursement of death benefits owed to the family of the complainant's late father, Kalloo, who served as a sweeper at BHU before his passing.
Although the benefits were rightfully due to the bereaved family, Kumar attempted to take advantage of their situation by demanding an unlawful payment.
In response to the complaint, the CBI executed a trap operation where Rajesh Kumar was apprehended in the act of requesting and accepting Rs 30,000—a portion of the initial bribe he sought.
This successful sting operation provided irrefutable evidence of his corrupt practices.
After his arrest, the CBI promptly conducted its investigation and submitted a charge sheet to the relevant court on June 30, 2016. The trial unfolded over the ensuing years, during which the prosecution presented witnesses and material evidence to support the bribery and misconduct allegations.
The Special Judge, CBI Court, after reviewing the facts and evidence, convicted Rajesh Kumar under the pertinent sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
On September 12, the court delivered its verdict, sentencing him to five years of imprisonment alongside a financial penalty of Rs 1 lakh.