Lekha G –
A Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court in Panchkula has sentenced a former Income Tax Deputy Commissioner to 4-year rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of INR 3 lakh in a 2016 corruption case.
The convict, Nitin Garg of Bathinda, former I-T Deputy Commissioner deployed in Sirsa, was held guilty for offences punishable under Sections 7 and 13 (1) (d) read with 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The case dates back to 2016, wherein following a complaint by Parshotam Kumar Goyal alleging that Garg demanded INR 2 lakh for not imposing heavy penalties on his proprietorship firm, the CBI, Chandigarh registered an FIR under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
In the courtroom, Garg who was under trial for over 5 years pleaded for a lenient sentence citing his age, heart ailment and family circumstances.
However, public prosecutor KP Singh sought harsh punishment “In order to check rampant corruption in public life.”
The Special CBI Judge Dr Sushil Kumar Garg observed that, “Corruption in a civilized society is a disease like cancer, which if not detected in time is sure to afflict every walk of life leading to disastrous consequences. Corruption is like a plague which is not only contagious but if not controlled spreads like fire in a jungle.”
The Judge stating that the punishment awarded was to reform the offender and reclaim him as a law-abiding citizen ordered, “Any softness in this regard could produce an undesirable result, namely, encouragement to the adoption of corrupt means by public servants, which has indeed to be checked.”
