The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has suspended the sentence of a retired Patwari convicted in a corruption case last month after 13 years of trial.
A bench of Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi admitted the appeal filed by the retired Patwari Bashir Ahmad Dar.
In his plea Dar has challenged the conviction and sentence awarded by the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court, Srinagar to him on March 16 this year.
After hearing Dar’s counsel Vikas Malik, the High Court issued notice over the appeal, seeking authorities’ response by May 8.
Pending adjudication of the appeal, the court ordered suspension of the sentence imposed on the retired Patwari, who was convicted by the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar for accepting a bribe of Rs 1000 to provide revenue extracts (Intikhabs) related to a disputed land.
The trial court had sentenced the retired Patwari to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed on him under J&K Prevention of Corruption Act besides one year’s imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5000 under Ranbir Penal Code. Both sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
The trial court had held that the prosecution successfully established the demand and acceptance of the bribe beyond reasonable doubt through testimonies of the complainant, trap team members, and independent witnesses.
