In Brief
A. Karunanithi, a Village Administrative Officer, allegedly demanded Rs. 500 as bribe from a citizen seeking a Community Certificate in 2004. His colleague P. Karunanithi accepted the marked currency. Both were convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Supreme Court upheld A-1's conviction for demanding and receiving bribe, confirming both demand and receipt were proved. However, A-2's conviction was set aside as he merely accepted money on A-1's direction without himself demanding it—an act insufficient for conviction absent an abetment charge. A-1's sentence was reduced to the statutory minimum of one year for both offences, considering the case's age and small amount involved.
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