HC queries Adilabad principal judge over corruption case delay

Hyderabad: Justice C. Sumalatha of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday sought a report from the principal district judge of Adilabad over a delay in recording a statement in an anti-corruption case.

The judge was dealing with bail applications filed by N. Teja, a junior assistant at the office of the director, RIMS Medical College, Adilabad, and G. Vijaya Laxmi, a junior employment officer in the district employment office.

The complainant, Durgam Shekar, had approached the ACB on an allegation that Teja, a Group I officer, along with present petitioners, demanded a bribe of Rs 3,00,000 from him.

The counsel for the petitioners argued that the two worked in different offices and had no connection with the crime. He said that to attract offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, there has to be demand and acceptance, which is absent in the present case.

The public prosecutor argued that the Section 164 statement of the complainant was yet to be recorded and hence, petitioners cannot be released on bail. Though applications are filed before the court concerned for recording the statements, there is no action on them.

The judge expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in recording the statements and directed the principal district judge to submit a report on Monday, explaining the delay. The case will be next heard on March 20.