Ex-DDA Asst Director jailed for 3 yrs in corruption case

A former Assistant Director of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has been awarded three years jail term by a court here for taking bribe from two employees of the authority for their transfer.
Special judge Narottam Kaushal awarded the jail term, along with a fine of Rs 25,000, to Ved Prakash Gautam who had worked as Assistant Director (Work Charge Establishment).
"Demand of bribe by its very nature is an act which is done secretly and not in public view. Usually there would be no witness to the demand, except the complainant.
"However, in the present case, complainant (Kumar) and his friend Ram Avtar were similarly placed and had both gone with similar request to the accused," the court said, adding that "From the evidence of both the witnesses (Kumar and Avtar)..., I am of considered opinion that prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that at the time of trap, accused demanded and accepted bribe."

The court, however, took a lenient view while awarding him the punishment, taking his family and health condition in consideration.
Gautam had sought leniency from the court, claiming that he was a retired person and had a family to support and said that he was suffering from diabetics, blood pressure and heart disease.

Kumar had filed a complaint with the Anti Corruption Bureau on July 2, 2009 and a raid was conducted at DDA office at Vikas Minar where Gautam was apprehended while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of Rs 3,000 for transfer of complainants and his friend Avtar.

Later, the court framed the charge for offence punishable under the sections of Prevention of Corruption Act in January 2014.
Gautam, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial, denying having demanded bribe from Kumar and Avtar and claimed he did not meet them in relation to their transfer.