SC flags ‘huge revenue loss’ as seized cash in bribery case eaten by rodents

The Supreme Court has expressed surprise that seized currency notes in relation to a bribery case were eaten by rodents while they were in storage, wondering how many such currency notes recovered in such cases get destroyed. It termed the issue a “huge revenue loss for the state.”

Court flags “revenue loss” concern

The remarks were made on Friday (April 24) by a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan when they noticed a verdict of the Patna High Court, pronounced in February last year, that stated that currency notes of Rs 10,000 seized from the accused of a bribery case were destroyed by rats and rodents.

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"We have also taken notice of something which we should not ignore," the bench said, while referring to a paragraph from the High Court's February last year verdict, which had recorded that the seized currency notes were destroyed by rats and rodents due to the improper condition of 'Malkhana'.

Bench questions storage conditions

In its April 24 order, the top court said, "We are taken by surprise that the currency notes got destroyed by rodents. We wonder how many such currency notes recovered in this type of offence get destroyed, as they are not kept in a safe place. It's a huge revenue loss for the state." It said the explanation offered for the destruction of currency notes also does not inspire any confidence.

The bench said it would look into this issue when the main matter would be taken up for hearing.

Case background

The top court was hearing a plea filed by the woman challenging the High Court verdict, which convicted her in the case. The bench noted that a trial court had acquitted the petitioner of all charges, following which an appeal was filed before the High Court.

The issue cropped up before the bench while hearing a plea filed by a woman, who was convicted and sentenced to a four-year imprisonment in a corruption case.

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It was alleged that the woman, who was serving as a child development programme officer at that time in 2014, had demanded and accepted Rs 10,000 bribe from the complainant.

The top court, which had earlier exempted her from surrendering till further order, granted her bail and suspended the sentence given by the Patna High Court.

(With agency inputs)