Mysore/Mysuru: A City Court has sentenced the Warden of Morarji Desai Residential School near Golur in Nanjangud taluk to three years jail for receiving bribe of Rs. 2,000 to sanction the bill amount pertaining to repair of electronic equipment.

The Warden, who was sentenced, is Ganapathi Jakathi. One J. Ramprasad, Proprietor of Computer Sales and Service shop, had undertaken repair works of printer, CPU and other electronic equipment at the residential school and had also undertaken installation of an UPS.

After undertaking repair and installation works, Ramprasad had given a bill for Rs. 24,601, but Warden Ganapathi and Principal reportedly demanded Rs. 2,000 bribe to sanction the bill amount. As the Warden and the Principal began to demand for the bribe amount after showing the copy of the cheque, Ramprasad, on Dec. 26, 2016 had lodged a complaint at the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) SP Office.

The ACB Police, who had registered a case under Prevention of Corruption Act, trapped Warden Ganapathi and Principal Manjaiah when they were receiving the bribe of Rs. 2,000 and arrested them.

The then ACB Dy.SP Gajendra Prasad and Inspectors Anil Kumar, H.N. Vijay and G. Shekar, who conducted investigation, had submitted a charge-sheet to the Court. City’s Third Additional District and Sessions Court Judge Gerald R. Mendonsa, who heard the arguments from both sides, found Ganapathi guilty of the crime and sentenced him (Ganapathi) to three years simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. If the accused fails to pay the fine, he has to undergo an additional six months imprisonment, four years simple imprisonment under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, column 13(1)(D) and a fine of Rs. 10,000. The accused has to undergo an additional six months jail if he fails to pay the fine amount.

The Judge has acquitted Principal Manjaiah as the allegations against him were found to be false.

Special Public Prosecutor Kaliyanda Muthamma Poonacha argued on behalf of the Government. 

Among the cases registered at ACB Police Station, this is the first case where the accused has been punished by the Court.