Introduction:

Ankit Tiwari, an officer from the Enforcement Directorate, has filed a bail plea in the Madras High Court after being arrested by the Tamil Nadu Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing. The arrest stemmed from allegations of demanding a bribe of Rs 20 lakh from a government doctor, Dr. Suresh Babu, purportedly to close a pending case against him. The prosecution contends that the initial bribe demand was reportedly much higher, at Rs 3 crore, later reduced to Rs 51 lakh.

Arguments of Both Sides:  

Ankit Tiwari’s plea highlighted Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, asserting that an officer could only be prosecuted if they received gratification beyond legal remuneration for official acts. Tiwari argued that since there was no registered or pending case against Dr. Babu, the notion of closing a case through bribery was baseless, suggesting mala fides in the criminal prosecution initiated against him.

Tiwari further contended that the alleged demand for money was false, questioning the timing of Babu’s complaint, which came nearly a month after the purported bribe payment. He emphasized the absence of incriminating evidence during police searches at his residence and office, presenting these facts to support his bail plea.

The prosecution sought time to respond to the bail plea, leading to the case being adjourned to December 19.

Court’s Judgement:  

Pending the prosecution’s response, the Madras High Court, represented by Justice V Sivagnanam, deferred the decision on Ankit Tiwari’s bail application to the next hearing. Tiwari’s arguments challenging the authenticity of the alleged bribery demand and the absence of evidence against him were considered by the court, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive examination before arriving at a verdict ont he bail plea.