In Brief
Mauvin Godinho and others, including a former Minister of Power and public officials, were charged with criminal conspiracy, corruption and forgery for allegedly issuing notifications without Cabinet approval to provide illegal 25% power tariff rebates to specific companies, causing loss to the State exchequer. The Special Judge framed charges under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act; the High Court discharged them from IPC offences but upheld charges under corruption provisions. The Supreme Court held that at the charge-framing stage, the prima facie standard requires only that material exist supporting the essential elements alleged, not full examination of merits. The notifications were allegedly issued without approval and in violation of rules; sufficient material existed to obligate framing charges. The Court found no illegality and dismissed the appeals.",
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