JAMMU, May 5: Special Judge CBI Jammu Pawan Kumar Sharma has rejected the bail application of Chief Engineer Kokan Railways Corporation Limited, who was arrested by the CBI on February 9, 2025 for accepting bribe to the tune of Rs 9,42,500.
After hearing counsel for the applicant and Public Prosecutor MS Tanuja for the CBI, the Special Judge observed, “there is no doubt in my mind that a prima facie case has been established against the applicant. The accusations against the applicant are of serious in nature. He being Chief Engineer of Government company was supposed to protect the interest of public and act fairly which he has not done”.
“This makes case of applicant for grant of bail weak. Although the punishment in the case may not be that of death or life imprisonment but this criteria is not only the deciding factor in the case. Similarly, absconding of accused from the trial may not be there but the position of the accused in the public department, he being Chief Engineer and therefore apprehension of influencing the witnesses even cannot be ruled out”, the court further said.
“Corruption in public life particularly by public servants has reached to enormous heights and it is definitely having its impacts on the common man who has to day in and day out go to the public offices for redressal of their grievances. Therefore, impartiality particularly from high officers is accepted from each and every investigation and showing any leniency to them would amounts to give a wrong signal in the society”, the Special Judge said.
“Corruption devalues human rights, chokes development and undermines justice, liberty and equality. Corruption is like a enemy of nation and tracking down corrupt public servants howsoever high, he may be, is required to be dealt with iron hands”, the court added.
