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State of Kerala v. K.A. Abdul Rasheed

Criminal Appeal · 2026 INSC 365Decided 15 Apr 2026
Crl.A. No.-001956-001956 - 2026
Justice Sanjay Kumar · Justice K. Vinod Chandran

Background

The accused, a Taluk Supply Officer (TSO), was alleged to have demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs. 500 from an Authorized Ration Dealer in exchange for countersigning routine account records. The trial court convicted him under the Prevention of Corruption Act, but the Kerala High Court acquitted him, holding that the complainant's inconsistent testimony failed to prove the demand for a bribe. The State of Kerala appealed to the Supreme Court against the acquittal.

Decision Breakdown

The Supreme Court held that the High Court had erred in acquitting the accused. It found that although the complainant's testimony had some inconsistencies, it was corroborated by an independent witness and the vigilance officer who led the trap, and that the acceptance of the money was admitted by the accused himself. The Court emphasized that the accused's explanation for accepting the money (a supposed loan repayment) was contradictory and false, which itself pointed to guilt. The Court restored the trial court's conviction and sentence, setting aside the High Court's order of acquittal.

Lesson Learnt

Minor inconsistencies in a witness's testimony do not automatically defeat a corruption prosecution if the core allegation is corroborated by independent evidence; and an accused's own false or contradictory explanation for accepting money can itself become evidence against them.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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