AIR programme executive gets jail for accepting bribe

A special CBI court convicted a woman programme executive of All India Radio (AIR) to three years rigorous imprisonment here today and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on her for accepting a bribe of Rs 800 from a folk singer.
The sentence was awarded by Special Judge for CBI cases, M K Sharma.
The woman executive Arunendra Chourasia demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 800 from folk singer Lalita Kushwaha when she (Chourasia) was posted with AIR in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district.
Chourasia had demanded bribe from Lalita for enhancing her remuneration from Rs 2,800 to Rs 3,700 and also for payment of her arrear wages.

Later, the folk singer tipped off CBI about the demand, after which Chourasia was apprehended when she accepted the money and kept in a drawer of her table.
The court awarded two years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Prevention of Corruption Act and three years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under the same law.
Both the terms shall run concurrently, the court ruled.
In case of defaulting on fine, Chourasia would have to undergo imprisonment for another three months, the court ruled.