Mere recovery of tainted cash cannot lead to conviction in bribery case: Chhattisgarh High Court
The Chhattisgarh High Court acquitted an education official in a decade-old bribery case, ruling that the mere recovery of cash is insufficient for conviction without proof of a demand. The court emphasized that the prosecution must prove the demand for illegal gratification beyond a reasonable doubt.
Why it matters
This ruling sets a legal precedent regarding the burden of proof in corruption cases, potentially impacting how anti-corruption agencies conduct future investigations.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has acquitted an education department official in a bribery case more than a decade old, ruling that mere recovery of tainted currency notes without concrete proof of a bribe demand cannot lead to conviction.
A single Bench of Justice Naresh Kumar Chandravanshi set aside a trial court’s 2017 order that had sentenced Murali Prasad Choudhary, an accountant posted in the office of the District Education Officer (DEO) in Surajpur district, to prison. The High Court in Bilaspur passed the order on Friday (September 18, 2026).
Mr. Choudhary(41), had challenged the special court’s order convicting him under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
“Demand of illegal gratification is the gravamen of the offence, and unless the prosecution proves such demand beyond reasonable doubt, mere recovery of tainted currency notes from the accused cannot lead to conviction,” the High Court said.
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