Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 20: Additional Sessions Judge Anticorruption Doda Amarjeet Singh Langeh has taken serious note in a corruption case registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and directed the Investigating Officer (IO) to clarify his position.
The allegations against accused Parshotam Kumar, Village Level Worker, Rural Development Department, Block Thathri are that by indulging in corrupt practices and by abusing his official position as a public servant, he raised assets in shape of moveable/immoveable property quite disproportionate to his own source of income.
On completion of the investigation charge sheet was presented in the court and while the matter was being argued, Additional Sessions Judge Anticorruption Doda observed, “the court deemed it expedient to go through the statements of witnesses recorded under Section 161 of CrPC during investigation. In that end, when file was perused the statements of witnesses recorded under Section 161 CrPC could not be noticed on the file”.
“As per the report submitted after thoroughly checking the file detail of statements of witnesses recorded under Sections 161 of CrPC does not figure”, the court observed, adding “let it be un-equivocally pointed out that for an Investigating Officer to espouse the course/path of presentation of a challan in the court in as serious a case as one under the Prevention of Corruption Act without annexing statements of witnesses recorded under Section 161 of CrPC is indeed an act which is prima facie in sharp contrast with law”.
“In the first place, Investigating Officer of the case be put on notice to explain/clarify his position in context by or before next date of hearing so that appropriate orders can follow up thereafter”, the court said and accordingly directed the office to issue notice to Investigating Officer to be served upon him through Senior Superintendent of Vigilance concerned.
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