This judgment deals with acquittal in a corruption case where the complainant turned hostile and the demand for bribe was not proved.

Case Snapshot

• Case Name: Sudhakar Hari Kotkar v. State of Maharashtra

• Citation / Neutral Citation: 2026:BHC-AUG:47324

• High Court: Bombay High Court, Bench at Aurangabad

• Bench: Justice Sushil M. Ghodeswar

• Date of Judgment: October 8, 2026

• Area of Law: Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) read with 13(2); proof of demand; sanction under Section 19; presumption under Section 20

Judgment Headline

Bombay HC Acquits Clerk in Bribery Case as Demand Not Proved After Complainant Turns Hostile

The Judgment in One Line

Bombay High Court acquitted a Junior Clerk convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, holding that mere recovery of money without proof of demand cannot sustain conviction.

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