Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu, Sanjay Dhar today awarded two years Rigorous Imprisonment and fine of Rs 50,000 to Muneer Hussain, the then Assistant Superintendent, District Jail Jammu, who was caught red-handed while accepting bribe of Rs 5000 from the complainant for allowing him to meet his son in the jail.
After hearing CPO Harminder Singh for the Vigilance Organization whereas Advocate K S Charak for the accused, Special Judge Anticorruption observed, “accused is an officer of Department of Prisons, who was supposed to maintain absolute integrity in discharge of his duties. The evidence on record shows that accused has misused his position as Assistant Superintendent of Jail for earning money by corrupt means”.
“Corruption, in our society, has spread its tentacles and unless it is eradicated, it is going to cripple all organs of governance. A corrupt official is a menace of society and he wrecks the policies of Government. Therefore, once a public servant is found to be guilty of accepting or obtaining illegal gratification, he deserves no soft corner or indulgence from courts of law”, Special Judge Anticorruption said.
“The nature of offence of which accused has been convicted, is itself an aggravating circumstance against him. However, there is no record of previous conviction against accused. He has been found guilty of criminal misconduct, which may deprive him of his livelihood as a consequence of his likely dismissal from service”, the court said.
Taking all these aggravating and mitigating factors into consideration, the convict was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment on each count. In addition, he was directed to pay fine of Rs 50,000. In default of payment of fine, the convict will undergo further imprisonment of similar nature for one year.
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