The point sought to be made by the counsel for the respondent is that when the complainant met the accused in the corridor of the hospital and informed him that he had brought the amount with him, the accused is said to have told him to go over to his chamber and while moving forward had been met with another person, who had briefly engaged the accused in conversation and had left. The accused is then said to have turned towards the complainant who was right behind and held out his hand and grunted. In other words, non-verbally communicating that the complainant was to hand over the bribe amount. The counsel for the respondent possibly seeks to contend that since there was no verbal demand for bribe, there is no demand. To accept such a proposition would be naive. It was as much a demand as could be made vocally. The same was duly witnessed by the raiding team.
Therefore, the trial court was in gross error in acquitting the accused on such a finding as is highlighted above.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
Criminal Appeal No. 953 of 2011
Decided On: 17.01.2017
State
Vs.
M. Hanumantharayappa
Hon'ble Judges/Coram:
Anand Byrareddy, J.
Citation: 2017 CRLJ1258
