Corruption rampant in government offices, no file moves without bribe: Karnataka High Court denies bail to BDA official

The Karnataka High Court recently denied bail to a Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) official while observing that corruption has become rampant in government offices, and that no file moved without a bribe [BT Raju v State of Karnataka]..Justice K Natarajan denied bail to a BDA assistant engineer who was caught receiving a bribe for passing a favourable order in a land case.“Now-a-days, in the Government office, corruption has become rampant and no file will be moved without any bribe. Therefore, I am of the view that the petitioner is not entitled for the grant of bail at this stage," observed the single-judge..The power of attorney holders of a land had sought an alternate site after their land was used by the BDA for construction of a road without any acquisition proceedings.The petitioner allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹1 crore, which was negotiated down to ₹60 lakh. He was caught by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) accepting an advance of ₹5 lakh. After he was arrested and remanded to judicial custody, his first bail application was rejected by the Special Judge, prompting this appeal before the High Court..The respondents opposed the bail plea on the ground that the complainant's file was moved after the arrest of the petitioner, thus clearly revealing that he deliberately did not pass any order for the last six months until the bribe was received.It was alleged that the phone conversation between petitioner and the complainant clearly suggested that there was a demand for bribe.It was also submitted the case was still pending with the ACB and if the petitioner was granted bail, he may tamper with the prosecution witnesses or even abscond..The Court took into consideration a recorded telephonic call in which the petitioner accepted the advance for the bribe. It also noted that the fact that the petitioner's hands turned pink when he was caught showed that he was in contact with the bank notes which were smeared with phenolphthalein powder by the ACB.Noting that the investigation in the case was still under progress, the Bench rejected the bail plea and observed,"The police are yet to receive some more information regarding voice sample report, FSL report etc. which reveals that there is a prima facie case made out by the prosecution at this stage to show that the petitioner has demanded and accepted the bribe amount.".The petitioner was represented by Senior Advocate CV Nagesh and Advocate Raghavendra K while Special Public Prosecutor Manmohan PN appeared for the State..[Read Order]