Chennai: The special court for cases under Prevention of Corruption Act, Chennai sentenced a 57-year old Inspector to undergo RI for two years on graft charges. He allegedly demanded Rs 30 lakh from a textile export businessman for registering a case against a trader who had cheated him.
According to Special Public Prosecutor K. Poornima Devi, Selvam was in the textile export business under the name M/s Sri Ramana Garments. He exported textile goods worth Rs 1.59 crore to Serenity Global Incorporation, Dubai, run by one Ramamoorthy. After collecting the materials, Ramamoorthy made only part payments and had not paid the balance amount despite repeated requests.
Selvam lodged a complaint before the Commissioner, who forwarded it to B.Senthil Kumar, Inspector, Crime Branch, Chennai Police, Egmore, for investigation.
Senthil Kumar had served as an Inspector in the wing from July 6, 2009 to March 24. 2010. After a preliminary probe, Senthil Kumar had asked Selvam come to the CCB office in December 2009 and demanded Rs 30 lakh as bribe to register a case and he went on to continuously demand that the bribe be paid.
On the inspector’s instruction, Rs 10 lakh was transferred to the bank account of his father-in-law, Bramanathan. DVAC registered a case against Senthil Kumar and Bramanathan and the court later discharged Bramanathan. Denying the charges Senthil Kumar stated that he never demanded and received any money from Selvam and sought dismissal of the case.
Special Judge J. Omprakash, said the court had come to the conclusion that the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and accused is found guilty for the offence committed under section 7, 13(2), 3(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The Court sentenced Senthil Kumar to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two year and to pay fine of Rs 2000.
