Pramod Sharma S/O Shri Chatur Bhuj Sharma, Vs State of Rajasthan

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN BENCH AT JAIPUR

S.B. Criminal Miscellaneous (Petition) No. 974/2025

Pramod Sharma S/o Shri Chatur Bhuj Sharma, Aged About 45 Years, Permanent Resident Of Near Tehsil Kama, District Bharatpur And Currently Residing At D-364, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur Working At Shreenath Travels, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur.

¶5

----Accused-Petitioner

¶6

Versus

¶7

State Of Rajasthan, Through Public Prosecutor. 2. Chandraprakash S/o Shri Lakshmanram, Aged About 43 Years, R/o Village Ravatsar, District Badmer, Rajasthan.

¶8

----Respondents

¶9

For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Rajesh Maharshi For Respondent(s) : Mr. N.S.Dhakad, P.P.

¶10

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE GANESH RAM MEENA Order

¶11

07/04/2025

¶12

This criminal miscellaneous petition has been filed by the petitioner under Section 528 of the BNSS with a prayer to quash and set aside the criminal proceedings in Criminal Case bearing CIS No. 12/2020 titled as State of Rajasthan Vs. Pramod Kumar Sharma pending before the learned Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Cases) No.4, Jaipur arising out of an FIR No. 99/2020 registered at Police Station Pradhan Aarakshi Kendra A.C.B. Jaipur, District Jaipur for offences punishable under Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 (for short, “the P.C. Act of 2018”) alongwith charge sheet No.127/2020 and so also the order of cognizance dated 04.09.202 (Annex.-3).

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

(2 of 17)

Counsel appearing for the accused-petitioner submits that the accused-petitioner is not a public servant and is a businessman and he has nothing to do with the allegations made against him.

¶17

Learned counsel for the petitioner also submits that the allegation against the petitioner is that he has induced one Chandraprakash, the then S.H.O. Police Station Udyog Nagar Police Station, Bharatpur for getting work done of the complainant by the then D.I.G. Police- Lakshman Gaur. Counsel for the petitioner submits that as regards the public servant, i.e., the then DIG Police, Bharatpur no involvement of him has been found in the matter and the police after completion of the investigation has filed closure report in respect of the D.I.G. Police- Lakshman Gaur before the competent Court on 09.01.2024. Counsel for the petitioner further submits that in the charge sheet submitted against the petitioner, the police has specifically stated that there is no evidence on record as regards the connection of the accused-petitioner with the then D.I.G. Police, Bharatpur or any kind of conversation in between them. Counsel also submits that in the aforesaid circumstances, the petitioner who is not a public servant, alone cannot be prosecuted for the offences punishable under Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018.

¶18

In support of his submissions, the counsel for the petitioner has relied upon the following judgments:

¶19

(i) Bharat Lal Saini Vs. State of Rajasthan: S.B. Criminal Misc. (Petition) No.8406/2022 decided by the Coordinate Bench of this Court on 04.08.2023.

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

(3 of 17)

(ii) Babji Vs. State of Andhra Pradesh reported in 2018 (17) SCC 732 decided by Hon’ble the Apex Court on 09.08.2018.

¶24

(iii) Vinod Kumar Vs. State of Himachal Pradesh in Criminal MMO Nos. 625 and 626 of 2023 decided by the High Court of Himachal Pradesh at Shimla on 25.06.2024.

¶25

(iv) Shivasharanappa Vs. The State in criminal appeal No.614/1997 decided by the High Court of Karnataka on 09.11.2001.

¶26

(v) Amara Kirshna Mohan Rao and Ors. Vs. the State of Andhra Pradesh in criminal petition No.901/2008 decided by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad on 23.09.2011.

¶27

Learned Public prosecutor opposed the submissions advanced by the learned counsel appearing for the accusedpetitioner and submits that the police after making a thorough investigation in the matter concluded the investigation and submitted the charge sheet against the accused-petitioner for offences punishable under Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018. Learned Public Prosecutor has also placed before this Court the status report of the investigation dated 04.04.2025 qua the public servant, i.e., the then D.I.G. Police, Bharatpur- Shri Lakshman Gaur and others where it has been specifically stated that after making investigation no any kind of involvement of Shri Lakshman Gaur has been found to be involved in the matter and the closure report has already been submitted by the Competent Court on 09.01.2024.

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

(4 of 17)

Heard and considered the submissions made by the learned counsels for the parties and also perused the material available on record.

¶32

The brief facts of the case are that a written complaint was submitted by the complainant-Chandraprakash on 23.06.2020 stating that he is employed as Station House Officer, Udyog Nagar Police Station Bharatpur and on 17.05.2020, the petitioner demanded Rs.10,00,000/- which was to be paid to Shri Lakshman Gaur, DIG, Bharatpur in lieu of securing complainant’s promotion and to get the petitioner in good books of the D.I.G.

¶33

On the basis of the said complaint, the A.C.B. organized trap proceedings and Rs.5,00,000/- is said to have been found in the Car of the petitioner on 24.06.2024 and thereafter the F.I.R. No.99/2020 was registered on 25.06.2020. The A.C.B. after making the investigation submitted the charge sheet No.127/2020 dated 19.08.2020 against the petitioner for offences punishable under Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018 and the investigation qua Lakshman Gaur, DIG Police, Bharatpur was kept pending under Section 173(8) of the Cr.P.C. The police after completion of the investigation qua Lakshman Gaur, who is a public servant, has submitted the closure report on 09.01.2024 stating that no involvement of Lakshman Gaur has been found in the matter. In the aforesaid facts, the only accused in the matter against whom charge-sheet has been submitted for the offence punishable under Section 7A of the P.C. Act is the petitioner who is not a public servant.

¶34

The offence punishable under Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018 relates to an act of taking undue advantage to influence

(5 of 17)

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by exercising of personal influence. The provision of Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018 is quoted as under:

¶39

“7A. Whoever accepts or obtains or attempts to obtain from another person for himself or for any other person any undue advantage as a motive or reward to induce a public servant, by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of his personal influence to perform or to cause performance of a public duty improperly or dishonestly or to forbear or to cause to forbear such public duty by such public servant or by another public servant, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.”

¶40

The language of the Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018 clearly speaks that even a person who is not a public servant can also be made an accused for an offence punishable under Section 7A if there are allegations based on evidence of accepting or obtaining or adopting to obtain from any other person for himself or for any other person any undue advantage as a motive or reward to induce a public servant, by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of his personal influence to perform or to cause performance of a public duty improperly or dishonestly or to forbear or to cause to forbear such public duty by such public servant or by another public servant.

¶41

In order to establish the offence under Section 7A of the P.C, Act of 2018, it must be proved that (I) the accused accepted or obtain or admitted to obtain from someone; (II) for himself or for any other person; (III) any undue advantage as a

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

(6 of 17)

motive or reward and; (IV) to induce a public servant; (V) by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of his personal influence to perform or to cause performance of a public duty improperly or dishonestly.

¶46

In the present case, initially the allegation against the accused-petitioner was of demanding and accepting the money from the complainant for getting some favour from the DIG Police, Bharatpur- Lakshman Gaur. The police after completion of the investigation, has submitted closure report as regards the Lakshman Gaur, the then D.I.G. Police, Bharatpur. Now the only accused remains in this case is the present petitioner who is not a public servant.

¶47

On bare reading of the provision of Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018, the basic ingredient is the involvement of a public servant who can be induced by a private person after receiving some illegal reward from the complainant to get some work done.

¶48

Since, no public servant is involved in the present case, the provision of Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018 cannot be directed and thus the prosecution of the accused-petitioner alone who is not a public servant is not sustainable and the entire criminal proceedings against the petitioner is vitiated in law.

¶49

In the present case, initially the allegation against the petitioner was of demanding/obtaining money from the complainant for getting his work done by the public servant, i.e., D.I.G. Police, Bharatpur. The police after a thorough investigation has submitted charge sheet against the petitioner. However, the A.C.B. considering the facts that there is no involvement of Shri

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

(7 of 17)

Lakshman Gaur D.I.G. Police, Bharatpur in the matter, submitted the closure report. Now the fact remains that it is the only present petitioner who has been made an accused for the offence punishable under Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018 who has been charge sheeted for the said offence. In the closure report dated 22.12.2023 which was submitted before the Competent Court on 09.01.2024, the A.C.B. has observed as under:

¶54

“izdj.k esa Jh y{e.k xkSM+] rRdkyhu mi egkfujh{kd iqfyl] Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj ds ljdkjh vkokl@fuokl LFkku ij yxs yS.MykbZu Qksu esa dqy 06 ,DlVsa”ku Fks ftuesa cSM:e dk 112] ?kj esa cus vkWfQl dk 111] MªkbZax gky dk 115] NksVs cPps fl}kFkZ ds :e dk 116] cM+s cPps ds :e dk 113 o fdpu dk 114 uEcj ,DlVsa”ku gSA vkjksih izeksn “kekZ] izkbZosV O;fDr nyky us Jh y{e.k xkSM ds cSM:e o vkokl esa cus vkWfQl ls dksbZ dkWy ugha fd;k x;k ftlls Jh y{e.k xkSM ls lafyIrrk gksuk izrhr ugha gksrk gSA

¶55

izdj.k esa vkjksih izeksn “kekZ rRdkyhu MkvkbZth Jh y{e.k xkSM ds ljdkjh vkokl ij jguk] mudk ljdkjh Qksu] ljdkjh okgu dk mi;ksx djuk izekf.kr ik;k x;k ysfdu mudh mifLFkfr o lgefr ls djus ds rF; vuqla/kku ls lkeus ugha vk;s gSaA vkjksih Jh y{e.k xkSM vius ljdkjh vkokl esa cus ykWu esa vkjksih izeksn “kekZ ds lkFk ?kweuk&fQjuk lkFk jguk ns[kk tkuk ik;k x;k ysfdu Jh y{e.k xkSM }kjk vius jktdk;Z ls lacaf/kr okrkZ, vkjksih izeksn “kekZ ls lk>k djus ds dksbZ Hkh nLrkosth@bysDVªksfud ,oa Bksl lk{; vuqla/kku ls lkeus ugha vk;s gSA

¶56

izdj.k esa Fkkukf/kdkfj;ksa ls] fd;s x;s vuqla/kku esa vk;s rF;ksa ds laca/k esa rRdkyhu iqfyl v/kh{kd /kkSyiqj o lokbZek/kksiqj rFkk rRdkyhu jsat izHkkjh Jh lquhy nRr] vfrfjDr egkfuns”kd iqfyl flfoy jkbZV~l rRdkyhu o gky Hkjriqj jsat izHkkoh vf/kdkjh ,oa Jh HkwisUnz ;kno] egkfuns”kd iqfyl] jktLFkku t;iqj ls vuqla/kku fd;k tkus ij nksuksa iqfyl v/kh{kd }kjk dksbZ Hkh fyf[kr

(8 of 17)

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

f”kdk;r Fkkukf/kdkfj;ksa ls Jh izeksn “kekZ izkbZosV O;fDr ds fo:) uxn jkf”k o lkexzh izkIr gksus ds laca/k esa izkIr ugha gksuk crk;k x;k ,oa ekSf[kd :i ls tkudkjh gksus ds rF;ksa ds ckjs esa le; vf/kd gksus ls tkudkjh esa ugha gksuk crk;k x;kA lacaf/kr iqfyl v/kh{kdx.kksa }kjk foftV@ehfVax ds nkSjku ekSf[kd :i ls voxr djkus ds rF;ksa ds ckjs esa ugha crk;k x;kA

¶61

izdj.k esa izdj.k esa fnukad 17-09-2020 dks Jh jkds”k dqekj O;kl iq= Jh jkefd”kksj “kekZ] tkfr czkgEk.k mez 39 lky] is”kk fctyh dk O;kikj] fuokl IykV ua-797 cjdr uxj] iqfyl Fkkuk ctkt uxj t;iqj ls vuqla/kku fd;k tkdj foLrr Li’Vhdj.k@iwNrkN iFkd ls ewfrZc fd;k tkdj “kkehy i=koyh fd;k x;kA fnukad 22-092020 dks Jh lqHkk’k “kekZ iq= Jh fo’.kqpUnz “kekZ] tkfr czkgEe.k] mez 52 lky] is”kk VªkUliksVZ] fuoklh efUnj lkfyxxzke ds ikl LVs”ku jksM ubZ e.Mh Hkjriqj ls vuqla/kku fd;k tkdj foLrr Li’Vhdj.k@iwNrkN iFkd ls ewfrZc fd;k tkdj “kkehy i=koyh fd;k x;kA fnukad 11-12-2023 dks mDr nksuksa dks ryc dj iwNrkN dh tkus ij iwoZ esa dh xbZ iwNrkN dh rkbZn dh x;hA mDr nksuksa O;fDr Jh y{e.k xkSM dh fj”rsnkjh esa ,oa fgrc) xokg gksus ,oa ifjoknh ds izkFkZuk i= esa uke vafdr gksus ls c;ku 161 lhvkjihlh esa ys[kc) ugha fd;s tkdj iwoZ esa Li’Vhdj.k@iwNrkN dh x;hA mDr nksuksa ls fd;s x;s vuqla/kku esa Jh y{e.k xkSM o Jh izeksn “kekZ ls dksbZ Hkh vkilh feyhHkxr o lafYirrk lkeus ugha vk;h gSA

¶62

izdj.k esa Jh y[ku iq= Jh ckyeqdUn tkfr dqekor mez 33 is”kk dkjhxjh fuoklh pkaniksyu xsV ckgj] ldqZyj jksM Hkjriqj iqfyl Fkkuk dksrokyh ftyk Hkjriqj gky eSllZ ckyeqdUn lhesUV m|ksx pkaniksy xsV ckgj ftyk Hkjriqj dh eSllZ ckyeqdUn lhesUV m|ksx gS tks pkaniksy xsV ckgj Hkjriqj esa fLFkr gS ftl ij dkjhxjh xeys cukus] lhesUV dh Vadh o tkyh cukus dk dk;Z djrk gSA Jh y[ku ls vuqla/kku fd;k tkus ij vius c;ku 161 lhvkjihlh esa crk;k fd vDVwcj 2019 esa fnukad 21-10-2019 esa 8&10 fnu igys esjh mDr lhesUV m|ksx ij Jh pUnzizdk”k th Fkkukf/kdkjh iqfyl Fkkuk m| ksuxj vk;s Fks tks esjs ls feysA ftudks eSa igys ls ugha tkurk FkkA bUgksaus eq>s crk;k fd Jh y{e.k xkSM

(9 of 17)

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

MhvkbZth lkgc dh dksBh ij 15 bap o 18 bap ds 116 xeys igqapkus gS eSa vkidks mDr xeyksa dk Hkqxrku dj nwaxkA bl ij geus 5&7 fnu esa xeys rS;kj dj jaxkbZ iqrkbZ dj fnukad 21-10-2019 dks MhvkbZth lkgc ds fuokl ij eSaus ,d HkkMs ij fidvi xkMh dj muds fuokl LFkku ij mrkjdj vk;k FkkA mlds i”pkr blh fnu eSaus fcy uEcj 72 fnukad 21-10-2019 15 bap ds lhesUV ds xeys ux 100 nj 105 jkf”k 10500 :i;s o 18 bap ds lhesUV ds xeys 16 nj 200 jkf”k 3200] dyj] HkkMk o etnwjh 5000 dqy 18700 :i;s dk cukdj lhvkbZ lkgc Jh pUnzizdk”k th dks fn;k Fkk ftUgksaus mlh fnukad dks eq>s 18700 :i;s dk Hkqxrku dj fn;k FkkA

¶67

fnukad 21-10-2019 dks Jh y{e.k xkSM ds ljdkjh vkokl ij Jh y[ku dqekor xeys ysdj x;k rFkk xeys Lo;a us mrkjs x;sA Jh y[ku }kjk fcy Jh pUnzizdk”k iqfyl fujh{kd dks fn;k x;k D;ksafd xeys mUgha ds }kjk rS;kj dj fHktok;s x;s ftuds }kjk mDr jkf”k dk Hkqxrku Lo;a fd;k x;kA

¶68

izdj.k esa rRle; xkMZ bUpktZ o igjk lUrjh us mDr xeys izkIr gksus ds laca/k esa vius c;ku 161 lhvkbihlh esa vuqla/kku ds nkSjku crk;k x;k gSA mDr xeyksa dh tkudkjh xkMZ bUpktZ o lUrjh igjk dks FkhA lUrjh igjk }kjk xkMZ bUpktZ dks xeyksa ds ckjs esa crk;s tkus ds rF; lkeus ugha vk;s gSA xeys izkIr gksus ds le; xkMZ bUpktZ o lUrjh igjk ikl esa cus xkMZ :e esa ekStwn gksus ls tkudkjh gq;h gSA xkMZ izHkkjh }kjk rRdkyhu mi egkfujh{kd iqfyl Jh y{e.k xkSM dks xeys izkIr gksus ds ckjs esa crk;k tkuk vuqla/kku ls lkeus ugha vk;k gSA

¶69

izdj.k esa iz”kklfud vf/kdkjh vuqHkkx&09] iqfyl eq[;ky; jktLFkku t;iqj ds ia=kd 1109 fnukad 08-122023 ls vfrfjDr egkfuns”kd iqfyl ¼dkfeZd½ jktLFkku t;iqj ls Jh pUnzizdk”k iqfyl fujh{kd dh foRrh; o’kZ 2019&20 ds dk;Z ewY;kadu fjikVZ izkIr gq;h ftldk voyksdu fd;k tkus ij Jh pUnzizdk”k iqfyl fujh{kd } kjk fnukad 22-05-2020 dks ,ih,@okf’kZd dk;Z ewY;kadu izfrosnu Hkjdj rRdkyhu izfrosnu vf/kdkjh dks fHktok;h x;hA

(10 of 17)

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

rRdkyhu izfrosnd vf/kdkjh@Reporting officer Jh gokflag] rRdkyhu orkf/kdkjh] or Hkjriqj “kgj }kjk fnukad 30-08-2020 dks ywV] MdSrh] vkfn lEifRr lacaf/k vijk/kksa esa fo”ks’k egurh gS fd fVIi.kh vafdr djrs gq;s vfUre vuq”ka’kk esa mRd`’V dh fVIi.kh vafdr dj Reviewing officer dks fHktok;h x;hA mDr ,ih, fVIi.kh dh fnukad ls Li’V gksrk gS fd Jh y{e.k xkSM ds ikl muds dk;kZy; esa Jh pUnzizdk”k iqfyl fujh{kd dh ,ih, izkIr ugha gq;h FkhA rRle; ifjoknh Jh pUnzizdk”k dk dksbZ dk;Z Jh y{e.k xkSM ds ikl yafcr ugha FkkA

¶74

leh{kd izkf/kdkjh@ Reviewing officer Jh gSnj vyh tSnh] vkbZ-ih-,l- rRdkyhu iqfyl v/kh{kd }kjk mi v/kh{kd dh fVIi.kh ls lger gksrs gq;s mRd`’V dh fVIi.kh vafdr dh x;hA mDr fVIi.kh ij fnukad vafdr ugha gSA mDr ,ih,@okf’kZd dk;Z ewY;kadu izfrosnu esa LohdkjdrkZ izkf/kdkjh (Accepting officer) dh dksbZ fVIi.kh@gLrk{kj vafdr ugha gSA

¶75

izdj.k esa Jh jes”k flag racj] iqfyl fujh{kd dks tkjh uksfVl ds laca/k esa fuosnu gS egkfujh{kd iqfyl] Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj ls izkIr fjdkWMZ ds vuqlkj Jh y{e.k xkSM rRdkyhu mi egkfujh{kd iqfyl Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj ds dk;kZy; vkns”k dzekad 349 fnukad 05-03-2020 ls Jh jes”k flag raoj rRdkyhu Fkkukf/kdkjh iqfyl Fkkuk dksrokyh ftyk /kkSyiqj dks vtekurh; okj.Vks dh rkehy izfr”kr de gksus ds laca/k esa vUrxZr /kkjk 17 lhlh, fu;e 1958 ds rgr vkjksi i= o vkjksih fooj.k i= tkjh fd;k x;kA

¶76

Jh latho dqekj uktZjh] rRdkyhu egkfujh{kd iqfyl] Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj ds dk;kZy; i=kad 11109 fnukad 17-09-2020 ls izkIr lwpuk ds vuqlkj Jh jes”k flag dks tkjh uksfVl ds laca/k esa Jh egkfujh{kd iqfyl] Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj ds dk;kZy; vkns”k dzekad 161 fnukad 16-09-2020 ls Jh y{e.k xkSM rRdkyhu mi egkfujh{kd iqfyl] Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj }kjk Jh jes”k flag] iqfyl fujh{kd dks foHkkxh; mRrjnkf;Ro esa ykijokgh dks lgh ekurs gq;s ifjfuUnk ds n.M ls nf.Mr fd;k x;k gSAJh jes”k flag dks Jh y{e.k xkSM }kjk foHkkxh; mRrjnkf;Roksa dh iw.kZ ikyuk ugha fd;s tkus ls

(11 of 17)

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

tkjh fd;k x;k uksfVl fof/kor :i ls mfpr izrhr gksrk gSA mDr uksfVl dk fuLrkj.k Jh y{e.k xkSM }kjk ugh a fd;k tkdj buds ckn esa inLFkkfir egkfujh{kd iqfyl] Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj }kjk fd;k x;k gSA

¶81

izdj.k esa vkjksih Jh izeksn “kekZ ds ,iy dEiuh ds eksckbZy dh funs”kd jktLFkku jkT; fof/k foKku iz;ksx”kkyk t;iqj ls ,Q,l,y fjiksVZ e; ,o QkeZ ds i=kad 7559@lkbZcj&204@20 fnukad 03-09-2020 o i=kad 10672 fnukad 10-09-2020 ls e; “khYM”kqnk eksckbZy o MhohMh ds ,Q,l,y fjiksVZ izkIr gq;hA mDr ,Q,l,y fjiksVZ esa Jh y{e.k xkSM rRdkyhu mi egkfujh{kd iqfyl] Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj o vkjksih izeksn “kekZ ds e/; dksbZ eSlst]okV~l,i eSlst o fj”or jkf”k dh ekax o izkIr fd;s tkus dh dksbZ pSV o eSlst vknku&iznku djuk fjdoj ugha gq;s gS ftlls mDr nksuksa dh vkilh feyhHkxr o lafyIrrk dh iqf’B ugha gksrh gSA

¶82

izdj.k ds 173¼8½ lhvkjihlh esa yfEcr lEiw.kZ vuqla/kku miyC/k lk{;ksa] fjdkWMZ] c;kukr xokgku] QnkZr] QnZ VªkalfdzIV] rF;ksa ,oa ifjfLFkfr;ksa ls ik;k x;k fd vkjksih Jh izeksn “kekZ iq= Jh prqHkqZt “kekZ mQZ lh-ch“kekZ tkfr czkge.k mez 45 lky ewy fuoklh rglhy ds ikl dkaek] ftyk Hkjriqj gky fuoklh Mh&364] ekyoh; uxj t;iqj is”kk JhukFk VªsoYl ekyoh; uxj t;iqj }kjk Jh y{e.k xkSM rRdkyhu MvkbZth Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj ds ljdkjh fuokl LFkku ij jgdj iqfyl dh dk;Ziz.kkyh ls vPNh rjg tkudj ljdkjh caxys ls lUrfj;ksa dks bUVjdkWu ls Qksu dj Fkkukf/kdkfj;ksa ds uke uksV djokdj muls okrkZ dj vius Lrj ls fj”or jkf”k dh ekax dh tkuk izekf.kr ik;k x;kA vkjksih izeksn “kekZ }kjk Jh y{e.k xkSM rRdkyhu mi egkfujh{kd iqfyl] Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj ds ljdkjh vkokl ij Jh y{e.k xkSM ds iq=ksa ds lkFk j[kdj mDr iq=ksa ds dejs esa yxs bUVjdkWe dk mi;ksx vius Lrj ij gh fd;k x;kA Jh y{e.k xkSM dh fj”or jkf”k ekax lR;kiu o ysu nsu ds le; ifjoknh Jh pUnzizdk”k o vkjksih izeksn “kekZ dksbZ okrkZ ugha gksuk ik;h x;hA Vªsi dk;Zokgh fnukad 24-06-2023 dks QnZ cjkenxh ds le; Hkh dksbZ okrkZ ifjoknh o vkjksih izeksn “kekZ ls Jh y{e.k xkSM dh ugha gksuk ik;h x;hA QnZ cjkenxh ds nkSjku vkjksih izeksn “kekZ }kjk izkIr dh

(12 of 17)

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

x;h 5 yk[k :i;s dh fj”or jkf”k ds laca/k esa vius Li’Vhdj.k esa Jh y{e.k xkSM ds fy;s jkf”k yh tkuk o mlesa dksbZ fgLlk gksuk ugha crk;k x;kA Jh y{e.k xkSM }kjk ifjoknh Jh pUnzizdk”k ls dksbZ fj”or jkf”k dh ekax dh tkuk o vius lg;ksx ls izkIr dh tkuk vuqla/kku ls izekf.kr ugha ik;k x;kA

¶87

izdj.k esa Jh y{e.k xkSM] rRdkyhu mi egkfujh{kd iqfyl] Hkjriqj jsat Hkjriqj ds fo:) vfHk;kstu pyk;s tkus ds lkjHkwr o ;qfDr;qDr lk{; yfEcr vuqla/kku ls lkeus ugha vkus o vkjksih izeksn “kekZ ls vkilh feyhHkxr o lafyIrrk vuqla/kku ls lkeus ugha vkus ls Dykstj fjiksVZ Lohdkj gsrq lknj Jheku ds le{k izLrqr gSA”

¶88

In view of the conclusion given in the closure report, as stated above, it is very much clear that no any public servant has been found to be involved in this criminal case. In view of the specific provision of Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018, no private person can be made as an accused for the offence punishable under Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018 without there being involvement or making a public servant as a co-accused. Hence, in the opinion of this Court only prosecuting a private person (not a public servant) without there being any other public servant a coaccused is not mandate of Section 7A of the P.C. Act of 2018 and the prosecution of such a private man alone is not sustainable.

¶89

In the case of Bharat Lal Saini (supra) Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in para Nos. 6 and 8 has observed as under:

¶90

“6. Thus, it is evident that to attract the mischief of Section 7 of the Act, the act of demand etc. must have connection with the discharge of public duty by the public servant. If the public servant has not been assigned

(13 of 17)

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

with the public duty as claimed by the complainant, the offence under Section 7 of the Act would not be attracted. Likewise to attract the offence under Section 7A, there must be allegation of exercise of personal influence for performance/forbearance in improper and dishonest manner of public duty by some other public servant. The expression “public duty” implies that the public servant must be enjoined with the responsibility/duty to discharge in the matter alleged by the prosecutor.

¶95

Thus, it is an evident fact that the petitioner was not a public servant enjoined with a public duty to perform anything in the matter as is asserted in the FIR. Therefore, unless the demand, etc. has some reasonable nexus to the dishonest and improper performance of the public duty by the public servant himself or by any other public servant, the offences under Section 7 or 7A of the P.C. Act are not made out. Once the substantive offence is not made out, the allegation of conspiracy to commit that offence does not stand, therefore, this Court holds that the ingredients of offence alleged in the FIR are not made out against the petitioner. As such, the criminal prosecution of the petitioner would be an abuse of the process of law.”

¶96

In the case of Babji (supra) the Hon’ble Apex Court in para Nos.5 and 6 has observed as under:

¶97

“5. In order to establish the offence under Section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act it must be proved:

¶98

(i) That the accused accepted or obtained, or agreed to accept, or attempted to obtain, from someone;

¶99

(ii) For himself or for some other person; (iii) Any gratification whatever;

¶100

(iv) As a motive or reward for inducing by corrupt or illegal means any “public servant” to do or forbear to do any official act or to show

(14 of 17)

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

favour or render any service to any of the persons specified in the section.

¶105

In order to constitute an offence under Section 8 of the Act, three things are essential. In the first place there must have been the solicitation or receipt of the gratification. Secondly, such gratification must have been asked for or paid as a motive or reward for inducing a public servant to do an act or do a favour or render some service as stated under Section 8 of the Act. In the present case, the evidence adduced by the prosecution is vague for whom the appellant had demanded the money and whether the person for whom the appellant demanded and received the money is a public servant. Though the receiver of the money, like in the present case may not be a public servant, the prosecution has to establish by convincing evidence that the amount must have been received for inducing a public servant for doing something by that public servant in his official capacity. So far as confirmation of the seat in the Indian Airlines, there may be persons in the middle who may be a public servant or a travel agency or others. In the absence of convincing evidence to show that the appellant had received the money from PW-4,to induce a public servant to get the confirmation of the ticket, the conviction of the appellant under Section 8 of the PC Act cannot be sustained. In the result the appeal is allowed and the appellant is acquitted.”

¶106

In the case of Vinod Kumar (supra) the High Court of Himachal Pradesh at Shimla in para Nos.19 and 23 has observed as under:

¶107

“19. Similarly, there is nothing on record suggesting of the fact that attempt, if any, was ever made by the petitioners to influence the public servant by corrupt of illegal means or by exercise of personal influence. It is none of the case of the Investigating Agency that petitioners being transporters, with a view to

(15 of 17)

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

get the undue favour, gave bribe to co-accused Abhishek, rather precise case of the prosecution is that petitioners and co-accused in connivance with each other were doing illegal activities and in lieu of passing vehicles were demanding bribe, however, there is nothing on record to show demand, if any, made by the co-accused as well as petitioners against whom otherwise, under no circumstance, provisions of Sections 7 and 7A could be invoked.

¶112

In view of the above, this Court has no reason to conclude that no case much less under Sections 7 and 7A of the Act is made out against the petitioners, who are admittedly not public servants, rather transporters coupled with the fact that no complaint was ever received by investigating agency with regard to bribe, if any, demanded by the petitioners as well as co-accused Abhishek for passing of vehicles. Mere recovery of currency may not be sufficient to conclude the guilt, if any, of the petitioners under the aforesaid provisions of law, rather to bring the case within the ambit of Sections 7 and 7A of the Act, it is incumbent upon the prosecution to prove the demand, if any, made by he public servant. In the instant case, neither there is any evidence with regard to demand nor a person who complained of demand, if any, made by the petitioner as well as co-accused.”

¶113

In the case of Amara Krishna Rao (supra) the High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad has observed as under:

¶114

“In fact, the question of prosecuting a non-public servant for any offence covered by the P.C. Act arises if there is any possibility of ascertaining basing upon the evidence to be recorded as to whether the public servant involved in connivance with the non-public servants being the concerned Commercial Tax Officer in committing the alleged offences along with the non-public servants. It all depends upon whether the prosecution can be allowed

(16 of 17)

[2025:RJ-JP:15551]

[CRLMP-974/2025]

to record evidence against him with reference to the charge under the P.C. Act. ‘Abatement’ means an extinguishment of the very right of action itself or to cease, terminate or come to an end prematurely and consequently the right of the prosecution to prosecute a deceased accused in a criminal case is effectually wiped out. Unless the public servant is held to be guilty of the charge punishable under the P.C. Act on the basis of the evidence which can be recorded, there will not be any possibility to uphold the same charge against the non-public servants. Therefore, when in view of the abatement of the charge against the public servant the question of reopening it against him does not arise at all, the question of considering that charge against the non-public servants also does not arise at all.”

¶119

Having considered the totality of the facts of this case and more particularly the fact that apart from the present petitioner, who is a private person, no any public servant has been found to be involved in this case and so also the view taken by the various Courts as noted above, this Court is of the opinion that the criminal proceeding initiated against the petitioner are vitiated in law and therefore, deem just and proper to exercise the inherent jurisdiction of this Court vested under Section 528 of the B.N.S.S.

¶120

Accordingly, this criminal miscellaneous petition is allowed. The criminal proceedings qua the petitioner pending before the Court of learned Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption cases) No.4, Jaipur in the form of Criminal Case No.12/2020 for the offence punishable under Section 7A of the P.C. Act, 2018 arising out of F.I.R. No.99/2020 registered at Police Station Pradhan Aarakshi Kendra, A.C.B. Jaipur, District Jaipur alongwith the charge sheet No.127/2020 and so also the order of cognizance dated 04.09.2020 passed by the Court of learned

¶121

[2025:RJ-JP:15551] (17 of 17) [CRLMP-974/2025]

¶122

Special Judge Sessions Court Prevention of Corruption Act No.1 Jaipur (Raj.) are quashed and set aside with all consequential proceedings.

¶123

Stay application and pending application(s), if an, also stand disposed of.

¶124

(GANESH RAM MEENA),J

¶125

GAURAV/1

Pramod Sharma S/O Shri Chatur Bhuj Sharma, v. State of Rajasthan

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Pramod Sharma S/O Shri Chatur Bhuj Sharma, v. State of Rajasthan

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Why is it important?

What the court decided

Issues for consideration

Cases cited

Statutes considered

Procedural history

Parties & counsel

Coram

Case details

Similar cases

Manisha Meena D/O Ramesh Chand Meena, Wife of Dilkhush Meena, Vs State of Rajasthan

Mahesh Sansi S/O Shri Sitaram Vs State of Rajasthan

Sehdev Kaviya S/O Ganesh Dan, Vs State of Rajasthan

Asfaq S/O Shri Abdul Aziz B/C Musalman Vs State of Rajasthan

Manoj Gurjar S/O Shri Jagram, Vs Shahrukh S/O Jafar Ali

Ravi Kumar Urf Ravi Roshan Gupta S/O Shri Jagdish Rai Gupta Vs State of Rajasthan