The Hindu : Kerala News : Jail for bid to bribe official

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Wednesday, Mar 02, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Jail for bid to bribe official

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 1. The Vigilance Special Judge, M. S. Mohanachandran, today sentenced N.R. Sekharan, a resident of Panniyankara in Kozhikode, to six months' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.3,000 for attempting to bribe a senior Government official.

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered a case against Sekharan on the basis of a complaint by the former Secretary, SC/ ST Development Department, S. Subbaiah. The accused was convicted and sentenced on the basis of the statement of the official.

Sekharan's relative owned a building in Kadalundy panchayat, which was taken on rent by the SC/ ST Department for running a pre-matriculate hostel in 1995. For technical reasons, the rent for the building was not fixed at that time. Meanwhile, the owner applied for enhanced rent.

Sekharan went and met Mr. Subbaiah at his office in the Secretariat at around 10.30 a.m. on March 24, 2000, with a request that the matter may be speeded up. While talking to the official, Sekharan handed over Rs.3,000 to him as illegal gratification.

Mr. Subbaiah immediately called the chief security officer and gave him a written complaint saying that Sekharan had attempted to bribe him. The accused was placed under arrest by the Sub Inspector, Cantonment Police Station, and a case registered.

The case was later transferred the Thiruvananthapuram unit of the Bureau. The Additional Legal Advisor, R. S. Jyothy, appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

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