desk
Share
News Topical, Digital Desk : The Delhi High Court has given a big relief to 90-year-old Surendra Kumar in a 40-year-old corruption case. His sentence has been limited to the period already served. This decision was given by Justice Jasmeet Singh.
Surendra Kumar, who was working as Chief Marketing Manager in State Trading Corporation of India in 1984, was accused of demanding a bribe of Rs 15,000 from Abdul Karim Hameed, a partner of a Mumbai-based firm. The complainant filed a complaint with the CBI, after which Surendra Kumar was caught red-handed taking a bribe of Rs 7500 from a hotel.
long legal battle
The trial in this case went on for 19 years and he was convicted in 2002. In the same year, he filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court against the conviction which remained pending for about 22 years.
Delhi High Court said during the hearing of the case
Justice Jasmeet Singh in the Delhi High Court said that this delay is against the principle of speedy justice enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. The Delhi High Court also took into account that the appellant is 90 years old, he is suffering from serious diseases and has been in custody for only one day. Also, he cooperated fully in the trial and has already paid a fine of Rs 15,000.
Important argument of CBI in court
In the Delhi High Court, the CBI told that the accused got bail immediately after his arrest and the court has the right to reduce the sentence to less than one year. Especially considering his age and health.
Important order of Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court said that this case is suitable for reducing the sentence. The court also held that there is no other criminal case against Surendra Kumar and this was his first offense. Thus the sentence of the appellant is limited to the time already served. The appeal is partially accepted. For now, the Delhi High Court has put an end to the long legal battle going on for 40 years in this case.
--Advertisement--
