THE STATE OF AJMER (now RAJASTHAN) vs SHIVJI LAL

The Supreme Court held that the respondent, a teacher in a railway school, was a public servant under Section 21(9) IPC, as he was in government service and entrusted with public duties. The Court found that the charges under Section 161 IPC and Section 5(2) read with Section 5(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 were not maintainable, as the respondent did not have the authority to secure appointments in the Railway Running Shed. Consequently, the conviction was overturned, and the appeal was allowed, reinstating the acquittal by the High Court.