A special CBI court in Ranchi on Friday sentenced a former Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) technical officer to rigorous imprisonment of three years in a disproportionate assets case. The court of Special Judge Yogesh Kumar convicted and sentenced Ram Binod Singh under Section 13(2) and 13(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 25 lakh on him, with the stipulation that he would undergo an additional one year of imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.
Background of the Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered a case in 2007, accusing Singh of misusing his official position during his tenure as a technical officer and acquiring disproportionate assets worth Rs 34 lakh. The investigation revealed that the assets were grossly disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Court Proceedings
The CBI public prosecutor, Davinder Pal Sood, presented several witnesses to establish the prosecution's argument. The court found Singh guilty of amassing wealth illegally and sentenced him accordingly. The judgment underscores the judiciary's commitment to tackling corruption among public servants.
This case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for public officials who misuse their positions for personal gain. The CBI continues to investigate such cases to ensure accountability and transparency in public service.
