In Brief
Mauvin Godinho and other appellants, including a former Power Minister and government officials, challenged charges of corruption and conspiracy relating to power tariff notifications issued to two companies. The State alleged wrongful gains of over Rs 4.5 crores through illegal notifications issued without Cabinet approval. The High Court modified charges from IPC sections 120-B, 409, 420, 465, 468, 471 to Prevention of Corruption Act charges. The Supreme Court upheld the charge framing, holding that when prima facie material exists and the matter is at the charge stage, courts must apply the prima facie standard without conducting a full merit examination or weighing evidence as in trial.
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